Feeling all the world like a film made for the American market, this Australian work is easy to laugh at. Its humour is built on so many Aussie stereotypes and they are presented in such an overstated way, you can’t help but be amused. The inclusion of a few national treasures like Bryan Brown and Rachel Griffiths only adds to the fun.
Bea played by Sydney Sweeney of Euphoria fame plays a girl on the verge. She has been painted into a corner by overbearing parents and a lifelong boyfriend who comes up short. When she meets Ben (Glen Powell) in a chance encounter, it gives her a window into a future that might work for her. A rocky middle section of their romance puts things at risk.
As things go in films of this ilk, the shortest line between two points is extended by some 12,000 kilometres as all the players are transported from America to Sydney, Australia. Our beautiful land then becomes an important piece of the puzzle and is presented in a way that would make any tourism board member jealous.
When you add up all the crazy and a few out-of-character moments of risqué behaviour, you have a very mainstream film but with enough interesting action to keep your attention. It’s like a comforting bowl of Albondigas soup. Served cold with just the right amount of spice.
Rob Hudson
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