Strange Bedfellows (2004)

Six laughs, Six. I counted them. Not so good for a comedy lasting 90mins +, is it? The reviews I'd read for this movie on IMDb were overwhelmingly positive. It's why I bought it. Had never heard of it except that it was referenced as the inspiration for "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" but better, it was claimed, and being a fan of Australian cinema... Well, I spent the first three quarters feeling vaguely uncomfortable but in the last quarter the film kind of redeemed itself - kind of. It is, as Paul Hogan points out in one of the many DVD Special Features, neither pro or anti same gender partnerships. It was an unnecessary comment for him to make - but meant, one assumes, to reassure conservative Australians. I'm glad I saw this clip after I watched the film. I was not impressed. It's not a bad film - its heart is sort of in the right place - but it just feels so old hat. A missed opportunity to do something both fun and progressive. A shame really.

Paul Hogan again gives us a great lesson of tolerance and respect for the world around us - let it be the surrounding nature, animals, other culture or just other sexuality. Perhaps this is the best way to wake up the good qualities in us - by showing our silly fears of all that is different from us and by laughing at these fears. And Hogan does it in a very straight forward yet subtle way, without hurting anybody. The plot is quite simple, and we can foresee some expected difficulties the couple may meet on their way to succeed, and even though we know there should be a happy-end, we did enjoy every minute of the movie and it definitely left us in good humor and we will certainly watch it again when having a chance. Last but not least - all actors play really well.

I had to see this movie because it was filmed in my local area... Albury was used for the Sydney street scenes (no folks, that isn't actually Sydney!) and Yackandandah is an actual town about 20 minutes from Albury. I knew a lot of people who were extras in the film so the main reason I was going was to look for my friends in the film and try and ignore what I thought would be an absolutely terrible film.However, I was surprised. I actually found the film somewhat amusing... the plot actually managed to distract me from searching for people I might have known in the background. While I would not say it is a great movie, it certainly isn't bad for a bit of a laugh.Yackandandah is almost as beautiful in the movie as it is in real life and hopefully this film might help to increase tourism in the local area.Hoges left his ability to act behind with his big knife in Crocodile Dundee I'm afraid, but playing an easy role such as this which didn't require much effort from him worked well. Caton was great... he really brings to life Aussie "characters" and did a good job in this film.While the view of gay and lesbian culture may have been a bit skewed and over the top, the film is meant as a comedy so I think it can get away with it, because the whole notion of the film is fairly absurd so it just fits in with the tone of the film.So overall, this film wasn't too bad. I would never have gone to see it though if it wasn't shot in my local area, but it wasn't a total waste of my $11 for the movie ticket.

I saw an advance copy of this movie and it is awful. Standard derogatory jokes on Gays are not funny anymore. Paul Hogan had one successful film in Dundee but since then it has been downhill all the way "baby". Hogan made the comment recently that he is now semi-retired, methinks it is his way of saying all his movies have bombed badly,his acting is pathetic,and it is time to find a new career. One wonders how long his wife Linda will stay with him as he fails time and again. Experienced Australian actor Michael Caton provides any real glimpse of acting,but he is the only saving grace. My advice get a copy of the first Crocodile Dundee to see what could have eventuated, this is a career that has gone down the sewer.