CRACKERS

1998 / Director. David Swann.

Surprisingly (or maybe not) CRACKERS is amongst the cultiest of movies in my video store. Every Christmas, without fail, it's one of the hottest rentals and people come out of the woodwork to reserve it. Australia has very few Christmas movies of it's own and I guess CRACKERS strikes a chord with people. It's a festive movie that celebrates the Aussie larrikin and represents a typical (albeit dysfunctional) Aussie family. We might not all be like this family but I'm sure all of us can relate these characters to people in our own lives. Set during the week leading up to Christmas the film's protagonist, Joey, is forced to endure a stay with his grandparents. The time is spent with daggy relatives and exaggerated Australian stereotypes and offers a light hearted and affectionate take on our own culture. It's not a great movie by any means but it's a fun one. If you think of THE CASTLE and throw in a good amount of DON'S PARTY when you'll know what you're in for. The performances are all good with particularly affective turns from young Daniel Kellie (where's he now?) and the legendary Warren Mitchell. I like the movie and it grows on me every time I watch it. It does lose it's way in the second half and almost forgets that it's a Christmas story, but nevertheless it's done with a tongue in cheek and a wink at the viewer. Overall a nice alternative comedy when you're tired of the same old repeats. 

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