Josh Jarman

Josh Jarman is an awkward film indeed. The main plot feels terribly contrived and the sub plots are just so ridiculous that you can't believe that they were actually included. the central plot concerns the title character writing a play that is going to get produced and his own artistic dream is sacrificed as he sees the theatre directors make it more commercial. What on earth is Pip Mushin trying to tell us. That in order to have integrity and remain true to yourself you must shun any chance of success, fame and wealth that might come your way? Kind of ironic coming from the man who accepted a role in "King Kong" just so he could fund his next project, so I have heard. the sub plots are excruciating, and it seems that every possible sitcom cliché is employed. Does Jarman's girlfriend have an overly seductive mother who tries to seduce him. Yes. Does the straight Josh Jarman have a polar opposite roommate who is quirky and bounces off all his lines. Yer sir! This film is such a lazy effort that it is really no wonder that it flopped!

Australian films have a bad reputation, and this film is a prime example of why. It embarrassingly fails to entertain in any way whatsoever.

The sad truth is that it is not in any way funny. It uses some of the oldest and lamest comedy clichés imaginable. It was hard to believe this was written in the 21st century. I remember Australian comedy from the 70s which was more adventurous and cutting edge than this.

Seriously, when I think that the makers of this film are hoping that I will laugh at the use of rhyming slang, a bloke being unsubtly seduced by his girlfriend's mother and uncool dance moves, I'm insulted.

When i was about five or six, I might have been amused. The scary thing is that when I was five or six, I was indeed amused by pretty much the same stuff. It was called Adventure Island, a TV series that drew on pantomime theatre traditions.

Unfortunately, this is film designed for adults, and someone needs to explain to the makers of this film that the world has become a lot more sophisticated since 1970, and that grown- ups expect a bit of wit in their entertainment.

I watched this film on DVD with 2 friends the other night and we loved every minute. People complain that there are no good Australian films, but this is one of the best I've seen. Great story, looks good and fabulous acting - Marcus Graham is terrific as the passionate playwrite and Kym Gyngell and the other main actors are very well cast.

The film is at times very funny, with three or four scenes resulting in us laughing so hard we had to pause the DVD. We also shed a tear or two in the last part, where Marcus Graham's acting really stands out.

I also watched the making of on the DVD and it refreshing to see the director Pip Mushin talk so honestly about making the film and what he was trying to achieve.

The music is also great. Highly recommended.

I attended the world premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival on spec and was most pleasantly surprised by this movie. Financed by a philanthropic local and filmed entirely in Melbourne, it is very much a local story. The acting is never less than very good and in a couple of cases it is quite excellent. The quality of picture and sound is well up to the best Hollywood sitcom standards and the whole show ran like clockwork.

Unusually in this age of excess, there is no foul language, brutal violence or pornographic sex. The dialog is full of wit and plays to Australian tastes with some good English rhyming slang, (which is very much part of modern Australian English), and even a taste of Jewish deadpan humor, which should go down well with Melbourne's large Jewish community. I will not give anything away about the story except to say it has a number of hilarious effects and twists that were well received by the enthusiastic audience. I think this film will appeal strongly to the younger set (16 - 45) but there is something for everyone. It should be a hit on the DVD rental market, not just in Australia but I could see good prospects in the UK and the substantial market for British / Australian comedy in America. Try it, its fun.

I went along to Josh Jarman at the Melbourne International Film Festival without knowing anything about the film, except that it was a comedy/romance. I was somewhat worried because a number of Australian comedies over the last couple of years had certainly failed to bring much of a smile to my face, let alone a laugh. But was I in for a surprise. Not only does this film provide plenty of laughs throughout, with two or three really hilarious scenes, but it also manages to pull a heart string or two at just the right places.

Quite simply, this movie is a little gem. Well written, brilliant acting and creatively directed. If you're expecting to see Marcus Graham as a cool, suave hero character like in his TV work, then think again. Here he plays a down on his luck, nervous and somewhat gawky playwright trying to get his play produced in a big theatre, and he is fabulous. Daniela Farinacci, Kestie Morassi and Kim Gyngell are very strong in their parts but it is Damien Richardson as Josh's best friend and flatmate who almost steals the show. He is both funny and tragic in a performance that I hope will result in him getting lots more work in the future.

The audience seemed to enjoy this film as much as I did. There was plenty of laughter throughout and indeed in the more dramatic climax (of which I won't spoil the story here) you could almost hear a pin drop in the theatre. Indeed I heard two audience members proclaim on the way out that it was the best Australian film they'd seen since Lantana.

I see a lot of Australian films and it is along time since I've come out of the cinema feeling so happy and satisfied. Well done to the filmmakers, I look forward to their next effort.