Starstruck (1983)

When a teenagers, in the early 1980's, one friend spent a few weeks convincing the rest of us, that her mother's best friend made a movie for herself and her sisters, as surrogate daughters. Before she had me convinced, the film clip of one of the songs was on Countdown, the most watched Australian pop music show of those years. And it didn't sink in what a big thing this film is, until my friend said that Gillian Armstrong also directed "My Brilliant Career". I would have loved this film anyway, without knowing my friend and her sisters needed this much love in their world. "Starstruck" is like 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', meets 'The Princess Bride', and they hit the sack right away before a first date. It is testament to Gillian Armstrong's ability as a director, and producer, that such an ambitious script gets the treatment it deserved, despite the obviously low budget. Yet somehow, the low budget just served to make it feel all the more Australian, as though it all happened just over every Aussie's back fence. The light is unmistakably Australian, and contrasts are exaggerated somewhat by the red, blue, yellow color scheme on set. Definitely worthy of joining the lists of what student film makers need to see, for the value of how to treat the script with respect to the writer's concept.

One of the best original rock musicals! I have just seen the DVD release, having not seen the movie in about 20 years and it holds up very well. It is not at all dated. All of the songs, except for the one which is intentionally bad, are great memorable songs...apparently thanks to Phil Judd of The Swingers. Casting really makes the film. Great chemistry between the two cousins Jackie (Joe Kennedy) and Angus (Ross O Donovan).Although the plot is somewhat thin, as is typical for this type of movie, it moves along quite nicely and has good light-hearted humor.See the movie, you will not be disappointed.

This movie is awesome. The characters are great. The music is amazing. The plot is entertaining. I have watched this movie many times and it never gets old. A lost gem of a movie that very few people have ever seen.

Not all movies are supposed to be dignified and realistic and noble. I found this one noble though, and completely dorky, and cheesy, and fabulous. It makes me cry when I watch it again. The Nana character is endearing. The writing is clever without calling attention to its cleverness. The apartment-roof swimming pool scene is brilliant.