IDIOT BOX
SYNOPSIS:
Tragi-comedy about two unemployed
suburban youths who, bored and
frustrated, lounge and fool around until
they get the bright idea that their
boredom would be alleviated with a little
bank robbery.
Review by Andrew L. Urban:
Nothing that
David Caesar has done (especially his
feature film, Greenkeeping) will prepare
you for this: billed as ‘action
comedy’ about two young no-hoper
guys bored titless, Idiot Box is actually
a Tarantino-esque, but Australian as all
getout, tragi-comedy in which David
speaks his (until now stifled) cinematic
language of choice. Bravura use of sound
and music, camera angles that
make-you-look-you-dirty-chook, lighting
without fear, and a total belief in the
script all help drive the film with
energy and pathos in equal measure. For
music, David went with You Am I, The Mark
of Cain, Magic Dirt, Snout, Crow, etc.
Showcased at Toronto’s film fest in
the Discovery slot (August 1996), Idiot
Box has what it takes to lurch its
audiences on a wild joyride with a couple
of bums who - despite themselves - endear
themselves to us. We care for all the
characters, and that’s thanks to
David as well as his outstanding cast.
But above all, a great script and the
vision to realise it. Bullseye.
Review by Louise Keller:
At the cast
& crew screening, director / writer
David Caesar explained why viewers would
not see "A Film by David
Caesar" listed in the credits:
"It was a collaborative
effort," he said, and explained that
at times, the actors came up with lines
which he felt were better than his
original script. It is not surprising
therefore that the film comes together as
a unified work. Ben Mendelsohn and Jeremy
Sims, as the two bored rebels who venture
down the wrong side of the tracks,
produce outstanding performances. Ben
Mendelsohn’s character always goes
one step too far, while Jeremy
Sims’s character is not quite so
brash (or stupid). It is a loud and angry
film with loads of humanity. The camera
work is interesting, the story-line
rewarding and the film really kicks along
with the stand-out sound track.
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 AUSTRALIA
CAST:
Ben Mendelsohn, Jeremy Sims, Robyn Loau,
John Polson, Deborah Kennedy, Graeme
Blundell, Susie Porter
PRODUCER:
Glenys Rowe
ASSOC.
PRODUCER: Nicki Roller
DIRECTOR
& SCRIPT: David Caesar
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Jo Pickering
PRODUCTION
DESIGNER: Kerith Holmes
COSTUMES:
Wendy Usher
EDITOR:
Mark Perry
RUNNING
TIME: 90 mins
INTERNATIONAL
SALES: Beyond Films AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR:
Globe/UIP
AUSTRALIAN
RELEASE: February 20, 1997
UPCOMING EVENT
RIVERSIDE SNEAK PEEK PREMIERES
A program of premiere screenings of new movies prior to their commercial release
on 4 consecutive Tuesdays - March 10, 17, 24, 31, 2015 - at Riverside Theatre,
Parramatta, Sydney.
Curated & presented by Andrew L. Urban, discussion to
follow with special guests. Briefing notes provided.
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