Sweet Seventies

This Australian comedy takes place in the 1970's in a cul-de-sac in a suburb near a beach-front. Its knockabout story focuses on the three families who live there. Written and directed by Stephan Elliott, this film is an autobiographical account of his life as a kid back in the day, with a few inventions added for good measure.

This is a movie which will mainly appeal to those who can remember the 70's. It benefits from a colourful look which celebrates that decade's style and décor in all its gaudy excess. Just for its period detail alone, it is quite a good watch. The story is split 50/50 between the perspective of the adults and the kids. The comedy is often pretty broad and not in all honestly always fully funny, although it does definitely provide a few chuckles throughout. There is no narrative to speak of really and nothing of especial consequence happens more or less. Amongst other events, there is a beached whale, a swinger's party, kids making violent DIY movies, shag-pile carpets, K-TEL records, an Evel Knievel costume and unfortunate pets. Everything is a bit random and several scenes don't particularly lead anywhere. The concoction adds up to a sporadically amusing comedy which ultimately gets by on its fun 70' vibes.

Enjoy this for what it is. So many memories came flooding back. I was a young policeman in the late 70,s and the kids at the blue light disco were how i remembered them, the ways the tried to sneak alcohol in was a laugh every disco. The characters were people i dealt with every shift when on patrol. Its not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but just forget everything and drift back into a time when everything didn't appear to be that bad.

Contagious, propulsive and fun love letter to 70s.

Off beat, nice pace, thoughly enjoyed it. The attention to detail was fantastic for the period. So many subtle period references. Sound track and editing was clever. It is different and refreshing.

Born in 68 I just loved all the references and the effort that went into finding props and costumes. Seventies soundtrack the interspliced home movie parts. It was a riotous movie I didn't expect to get hooked into. Perhaps if you weren't there you won't get it. If you where there you'll want to watch it again to see what you missed first time round.