Screenwriter: Jeff Balsmeyer
This is a charming romantic comedy about how a change of scenery can change your life – for the better.
Danny Morgan (Rhys Ifans, of Notting Hill fame), cement truck driver and all-around good guy, was a restless dreamer who possessed what his live-in girlfriend, Trudy (Justine Clarke), described as “crazy ideas.” Ideas that you and I would call brainstorms conceived by an imaginative child.
Things are looking up for Trudy’s real estate career when local anchorman/heartthrob Sandy Upman (Rhys Muldoon) hires her to find him a house. Trudy gets stars in her eyes and considers dumping working class Danny, whom she now considers to be one of the “little people” (socio-economically speaking).
Meanwhile, with their vacation plans postponed (thanks to Trudy), Danny goes stir crazy while hanging around the house and ends up overhearing how Trudy really feels about him. Heartbroken, Danny looks for a way to improve his status to save his failing relationship with Trudy.
After running into a high school classmate who is now a successful entrepreneur, Danny plans to unveil his latest “crazy idea” – piloting his deckchair like a hot air balloon – during the “barby” (Australian for “cookout”) he and Trudy are throwing at their house.
Danny gets more than he bargained for when the chair takes flight, and a thunderstorm – and Fate – whisk him away to the land of Clarence, where he meets meter maid Glenda Lake (Miranda Otto, The Lord of the Rings II and III). Will Danny discover his true calling, and his true love, in this quaint town? Will he become one of the “big people?” Ah-ah-ahhh… Not so fast. I don’t give away endings. You’ll have to take the journey to find out!
What I liked: As a hopeless romantic, I found this Aussie film to be delightful and entertaining. Good acting. Funny script. Observant movie-watchers may notice the movie tipping its hat to The Wizard of Oz.
What I didn’t: Can’t think of anything.
Madeleine says: Worth full rental price.
What do you say?
Comments