The Delinquents

an enjoyable, and reasonably well-written teenage drama only slightly impaired by the fact that it's lead was as good as an actress as she was a carpenter.

Akin to one of those welcome but straightforward coming-of-age tales of the fifties or sixties – usually starring James Dean – the Australian film Delinquents, based on the book of the same name, centers on two star-crossed lovers, Lola (Minogue) and yankie Brownie (Charlie Schlatter).

They, much like Minogue's plans for a burgeoning film career, seemed doomed from the beginning – they come from opposite sides of the tracks, their parents have their own plans for both offspring, and, well, you've regrettably got to have a little bit of green to go with the stout heart if you're to make a relationship work.

She looks peachy, but Minogue doesn't prove to be anything more than a former soapstar in the lead role. Schlatter, best known at the time for his roles in clunky comedies like 18 Again and the lead in the TV spin-off of Ferris Bueller, didn't fare much better.

Thankfully, the supporting cast, which included solid Australian talent like Angela Punch McGregor and Bruno Lawrence, was as fine as silver and help the film escape it's boggy areas.

In addition, the film's got a terrific soundtrack – largely Australian artists – that help proceedings kick along in an active and melodious fashion.

As romcoms go I rather like this movie. Kylie was young and inexperienced but showed some talent. Bruno Lawrence is a great 'wise old man' figure> If anything Chalie Schlatter lets the side down a bit. As an Aussie I know the chances of their being a yank teen living in Bundaberg in the 50's were pretty scarce, about the same as finding an Aussie in Wichita. But its a pleasant feel good movie. I've watched it half a dozen or more times and keep watching so it must have something. And it does bring back an era much changed since, where people get arrested for simply not having enough money in their bank account, and police could give folks a good smack in the chops and get away with it. A time of a lot more innocence than now. These days Brownie would get Lola pregnant and then shoot through leaving her to cope with her heroin addiction. Its nice to believe there was a time when love conquered all.

I just saw this film very recently, I don't know why I never saw it sooner. Kylie looks like she was just out of Neighbours and can really blow your socks off acting. I thought the way she transcended from girl to women was very effective.

Charlie I knew from Diagnous Murder so I knew he could do comedy, but he played the love interest very well, and seemly thought out the character very well.

The rest of the cast were superb I don't know they're work personally but they had me from the get go.

The Mavis and Lyle Situation was lovely. Two people who knew what it felt for to be each others true loves.

It was a great film and as much as I like Kylie as an entertainer, I would love to see her act again, maybe the roles reversed she being the strict one.

Go and rent it out, it is a lovely thought out film.

I quite liked this movie. Its a bit feeble but its alright. They obviously used Kylie because of her superstar status and maybe she isn't the best choice but she pulls it off quite well. I liked it when the woman who takes Lola in teaches her manners. Her hair looks really dodgy when she bleaches it though. All in all not bad but it could've been better.

´The Delinquents´ was made just after Kylie´s rise to fame in the music business (thanks to producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman), and is a star vehicle in the tradition of the classic Hollywood movies starring (f.i.) Joan Crawford. Not the plot, but the actress comes in first place in these kind of movies. Every storyline, every camera angle, everything spins around miss Minogue. She gets all the time and space to show off her acting skills, good looks and various hairstyles. This movie would have been a disaster without the star quality Kylie brings to it. Even though she never made it to the level of Madonna or Janet Jackson, she has the attitude that goes with top stardom, and that is what makes her film debut really enjoyable.