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Movies

Review: Latest Aussie offering a heartwarming 'Castle'

May 7, 1999
Web posted at: 5:25 p.m. EDT (2125 GMT)

By Reviewer Paul Clinton

(CNN) -- His modest home is built on a toxic dump, next to towering high-power electrical lines and in the path of huge jets landing at an airport right next door. But none of this bothers Darryl Kerrigan or his family.

To them their ordinary, humdrum life is magical and they're living the Australian family's dream; a pool table, a "barbie" (that's the barbecue, not the doll) and a huge TV antenna. Ahhhh, the good life.

MULTIMEDIA
Theatrical preview for "The Castle"
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Paul's Pix: "The Castle"
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Windows Media 28K 80K

"The Castle" is a domestic comedy from Down Under about a man who refuses to give up is home -- his castle -- to a huge multinational company. The company is attempting to buy his property to build a billion-dollar expansion to the local airport.

This film about miscasts is cast mainly with Australian television stars including Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Anthony Simcoe, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee (who made her feature film debut in "Muriel's Wedding"), and veteran Australian character actor Charles 'Bud' Tingwell.

Chronic optimism

Kerrigan, played by Caton, is chronically optimistic. He drives a tow truck and he's proud as punch that his daughter, Tracey, played by Lee, has completed her higher education. She's a licensed hair dresser, don't ya know. His oldest son, Wayne, is in prison for robbing a bank, but Dad just figures that was an innocent mistake.

His wife Sal, portrayed with daffy innocence by Tenney, can do no wrong when it comes to sponge cake and meat loaf. And Dad all but bursts with pride every time his second son, Steve, dimly played by Simcoe, finds a bargain in the local paper.

Kerrigan's youngest son, Dale, played by Curry, is the film's narrator. He fills us in on his father's wit and wisdom regarding life in general. For instance: "Fishing is 10 percent brains, 95 percent muscle, and the rest is good luck."

Short on sophistication and IQ -- but long on heart and devotion -- the Kerrigan clan refuses to cave in when the government orders them to sell their home, sweet home, for an airport expansion. It's said that you can't fight City Hall, but overnight Kerrigan becomes an unlikely David who takes on Goliath with amusing results.

Wrapping himself in the premise that it's not just his house, it's his home, Kerrigan hires a local barrister, who seems to have gotten his law degree out of a cereal box. The loony battle is then waged all the way to Australia's Supreme Court. There, the "powers that be" are forced to acknowledge this eccentric and lovable urban warrior.

Form matches content

"The Castle" isn't only about beating the odds -- this movie actually did just that. Written in two weeks and shot in 11 days with a 16mm camera, this film went on to become the highest grossing Australian film of 1997 and was seen at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.

It's a true independent film in every way. The movie was written and conceived by Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Santo Cilauro, Michael Hirsh and Rob Sitch. These five people make up the production company called "Working Dog" and have created two of Australia's most popular television series, "The Late Show" and "Frontline." Sitch makes his directorial debut with this project, with Cilauro serving as cameraman and Kennedy as casting director.

Whatever "The Castle" may lack in production values, and even in acting ability, it makes up for it with its sunny charm and optimistic attitude. If you've ever seen the old "Ma And Pa Kettle" movies on late night TV, you've got an image of this odd, but functional family trying to live in a dysfunctional world.

No car chases. No pratfalls. No double takes. This is just a simple comedy that grows on you. By the end, you'll find yourself charmed by this extraordinary family with ordinary dreams.


"The Castle" opens Friday, May 7 in New York City and Los Angeles and then nationwide on May 21 (look out, "Star Wars"). The film is rated R with a running time of 89 minutes.


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