Malcolm

Malcolm is one of those movies that really deserves more love. It's critically underrated and too many people have simply not seen it. Maybe it's too low budget but it's got an off beat charm that can't be denied.

The titular Malcolm is a very shy but gifted mechanic. He's not very good with people but he loves trams and gets fired from his job of repairing them because he built his own out of spare parts.

In desperation, he gets a roommate to help cover the bills and In walks petty criminal Frank who's just been released from prison and his brassy girlfriend Judith. They become friends, albeit awkward ones, and decide to use Malcolm's genius to help them rob a couple banks.

The robberies are inventive and it's quite fun to see how Malcolm and his two friends manage to pull off these heists.

The movie is, currently, able to be seen for free on Youtube so really there's no reason not to miss it.

I had almost forgotten about this movie until I happened upon it while on here. I discovered this movie on TV one night and loved this cute little film. Very funny, charming, creative, touching, great storyline and good acting all around. Unfortunately it appears that it didn't get the publicity and release that it deserved. As others have already said on here, find it if you can, because it is well worth it!!

Malcolm is one of several movies produced by David Parker & Nadia Tass. It won 8 A.F.I. (Australian Film Industry) awards when first produced.

Malcolm was one of my favourite movies while growing up, particularly because of my own love of tinkering and model railroads. It and Rikky & Pete are still two of my favourite movies, light heared Australian comedies that didn't shy away from anything, which is the depressing reality of more and more modern movies.

As it goes it actually has a few stars cast (local stars though not international) in it.

While somewhat simple (in the story this is blamed at least partially on his upbringing by his mother in what is an ethnic neighbourhood) Malcolm has a flair for invention which gets him fired from his job with the Melbourne tram company after he builds a working tram out of spare parts. After being laid off he is told he needs to get a boarder in to support himself financially. Enter Frank an ex-con still upto criminal activities who brings in his girlfriend Judith to live in the other room.

It is a good fun family movie which most if not all will enjoy, provided the Australian style of comedy and pacing don't get to you (this is typical of Tass & Parker who tend to put a very Australian feel to all the movies they produced together which means the pace is laid back, the language a touch vulgar, and the whole affair is a realistic depiction of human beings [the car that split in half was actually built it's not just a prop]).

If you're not Australian you may find this movie a little strange, but extremely funny. It is great Australian humour set on a socially inept man, Malcolm (Colin Friels), and his love of trams. To make some extra cash Malcolm has some live in tenants who to say the least are very different to him.

As a Melburnian it was a pleasure to watch the trams, an icon of the city throughout this movie, and the familiar city scapes. This however was not the reason "Malcolm" was so good.

The acting in this film is spot on and the script and writing is wonderfully imaginative and original. If you like Australian comedy's rent it. If you've never seen an Australian comedy give it a go, if for nothing else but the superb soundtrack.

I have to say it is a good few years since I saw this film, but it has a place in my heart. As a shy person in my teenage years, I had a small affinity with Malcolm. He was so shy that he crossed the road near the beginning to avoid some kids. Not your average film lead. Some of the gadgets and vehicles were clever, and well implemented into the film. This film could not work anywhere else in the world. The sense of humour is typically Australian, and definitely adds to the film. If you ever get the chance to catch this film, do so. The music by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra also gives the film something extra.