Well Go U.S.A. has gone
to the land Down Under for the Apr. 16 DVD and Blu-ray release of
writer/director Peter Templeton’s delightful “romantic” comedy, Not
Suitable For Children, starring True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten.
Templeton’s film comes as
something of a pleasant surprise from a country noted for its horror, action
and dramatic films. They make some of
the best in the world, but romantic comedy is not really the country’s long
suit — filmmaker P.J. Hogan’s Muriel’s Wedding being a wonderful
example of what they can do when they put their hearts in it (it was sweet, fun
and at times very dark).
There are others, sure,
but you get the drift.
A few quick words about
filmmaker Peter Templeton — before we dive into the merits of the Not
Suitable For Children arrival in the domestic home entertainment market
— he has done quite a bit of Aussie TV (stuff that Yanks have probably never
heard of), but is most noted for his early short films, including The
Saviour, which was nominated for an Oscar back in 2005.
Not Suitable For Children marks his first full-length feature film and he
absolutely knocks it out of the park — or, would that be he strikes it off the
pitch?
Kwanten plays Jonah, a
twenty-something bachelor with a reputation of partying hardy every weekend —
he’s actually managed to turn it into something of a business. He’s a lady’s man, ready to swing, even if
the name of his latest shag becomes a bit elusive in the fog of alcohol and
noise of the night. You get the picture
early on that he loves to play, party and have love-and-leave’em sex with the
babes (who are more than willing).
Now comes the hook. His latest “conquest” notes that he has a “you’ve
got a lump sort of thing” there … which leads to a quick check up at the doctor
(Lewis Fitz-Gerald — Breaker Morant), who informs Jonah
that he’s got testicular cancer, but he’s caught in time. After the surgery he’ll still be able to
party (you only need one), but with the therapy associated with the surgery and
the after-treatment he will, sorry to say, be sterile.
Three weeks, four tops,
before the end comes to his baby-making opportunities. That is all the time he has to go through his
long list of “relationships” to find a willing partner so that he can become a
dad before … snip, snip, snip!
His flatmates (and
business partners) — Stevie (Sarah Snook — Sisters of War) and Gus (Ryan Corr)
— offer to help (lots of suggestions), but as the endless encounters
(proposals; offers; suggestions) wear on, it begins to look as if it is a
hopeless (and very funny) fatherhood quest for Jonah. Perhaps, just perhaps, the answer is staring
him right in the face!
To download this week's
complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report: DVD & Blu-ray Release Report
Fabulous fun with a serious side. Loved it on the big screen!
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