The Big Steal

Everything from the sound track, to the clothes, to the hairstyle just reeked 80's/90's Australia. Great cast, decent script, bogan and wog humor, it just doesn't get better than this. I'm not saying it's the greatest Australian movie, far from it, but it is a great non-offensive light entertainment. A glimpse into a particular time and period of Australia. I would go as far as saying this The Big Steal is like a documentary on the Australian culture during the 80's/90's. Not the story, but the lifestyle. If only the Australian film industry can bring out some more of these quality feel good comedies. I mean i love a depressing tale about something or other as much as the next guy.. and lets face it, Australia pumps a lot of these visions of depression. I guess there isn't a market for Teen Romance/Comedies in Australia no more.

I can't believe I have never seen or ever heard about this film before. To impress a girl at his school, a boy trades in his car for a Jaguar from a crooked second-hand car dealer. It was just a good-spirited, funny and delightful film to watch. I also must admit I loved the fact that I have shot a film at that very car park where the boys work, and it was located on the street I used to live, so I have some personal connection to the locations as well. This aside, it is intelligent, amusing, and keeps the pace going throughout the film. It was the first leading role for Ben Mendelssohn and a spirited performance by Claudia Karvan. It is also good to see Steve Bisley performance. It can be hard for me to shake his role in Police Rescue and Water Rats, but I have seen him in more and more films recently during his early career, and I have to admit he had a substantial part of building up Australian cinema.

From the creators of Malcolm, and before the days of the Castle comes this 1990 film which was one of Ben Mendelshon first film appearances. Having loved trains, I was drawn in from the opening scene where a train drives past the residence of Danny Clark, our shy teenage hero of the film. Wanting to impress the girl of his dreams, he tells her that he has a Jaguar motor car when he asks her out. She agrees to go out with him and now he has to buy the said jag and it is a roller coaster ride from there. Set in early 90's Melbourne this film is a must for any proud Aussie film buff and although Steve Bisley's hairdo would be an inditable offence these days, the file will not disappoint.

One of the funniest films I have ever seen, and another triumph for Nadia Tass and David Parker after 'Malcolm'. Ben Mendelsohn as Daniel and Claudia Karvan as Joanna are wonderful, but the standout for me is Steve Bisley as the hilariously named Gordon Farkas, a sleazy used-car salesman with a rather embarrassing little secret. Marshall Napier and Maggie King are also delightful as Daniel's parents - the scene where they are playing Scrabble is particularly funny. Mendelsohn and Karvan recently appeared together in the outstanding TV series 'Love My Way'. (Damon Herriman also appears in the series.) If you haven't seen 'Love My Way' and you love these actors, buy/hire the DVDs NOW! You won't be disappointed.

Brilliant Aussie movie from the early 90s. So many great one liners that still make me laugh to this day. Great to see all the old cars, clothes and hairstyles too lol.

But that doesnt mean it's good, far from it in fact. Steve Bisley steals the show, but the rest of the acting is abysmal, beyond in fact. You have been warned.