At our April class we discussed the film “Top End Wedding”. This genre is publicised as Comedy, Romance. We thought it could also be classified as a tourism film with some great scenery of the northern parts of Australia.
Lauren and Ned are engaged, they are in love, and they have just ten days to find Lauren's mother who has gone AWOL somewhere in the remote far north of Australia, reunite her parents and pull off their dream wedding.
Generally everyone enjoyed the film. As a romantic comedy it was predictable but was entertaining. It was a family story, emphasising the importance of family, and living without regrets, rather than slapstick comedy. It was typically Australian in many ways, with the depiction of the indigenous community positive. Some of the characters were fun. Lauren’s father, upset about his wife’s absence, often retreats to the pantry with 1980’s music to cry. Ned’s dog was very cute. And the development of Lauren’s boss from “boss lady” to an important part of the extended family was well covered. The use of TIWI island songs was a bonus. And we enjoyed the quirky approach to the end where the screen displayed a warning that it was not the end, showed some still photos of the “wedding”, then confirmed the “real end”. Overall, an enjoyable although light film.
In comparing the film with other films, the group thought of “Crocodile Dundee”. The story is different but had a similar approach to the Australian humour. We rated it as 3-3.5 out of 5.
Our film for discussion at the 10 July class is a choice between “POMS” currently screening at BPACC OR “Men in Black: International” which screens from 4 July.
Joy Shirley
Lauren and Ned are engaged, they are in love, and they have just ten days to find Lauren's mother who has gone AWOL somewhere in the remote far north of Australia, reunite her parents and pull off their dream wedding.
Generally everyone enjoyed the film. As a romantic comedy it was predictable but was entertaining. It was a family story, emphasising the importance of family, and living without regrets, rather than slapstick comedy. It was typically Australian in many ways, with the depiction of the indigenous community positive. Some of the characters were fun. Lauren’s father, upset about his wife’s absence, often retreats to the pantry with 1980’s music to cry. Ned’s dog was very cute. And the development of Lauren’s boss from “boss lady” to an important part of the extended family was well covered. The use of TIWI island songs was a bonus. And we enjoyed the quirky approach to the end where the screen displayed a warning that it was not the end, showed some still photos of the “wedding”, then confirmed the “real end”. Overall, an enjoyable although light film.
In comparing the film with other films, the group thought of “Crocodile Dundee”. The story is different but had a similar approach to the Australian humour. We rated it as 3-3.5 out of 5.
Our film for discussion at the 10 July class is a choice between “POMS” currently screening at BPACC OR “Men in Black: International” which screens from 4 July.
Joy Shirley
