Malcolm

This is an absolute gem - a really original, clever and funny film. Colin Friels and John Hargreaves are brilliant, the gadgets are hilarious, and the music (from the Penguin Café Orchestra) beautifully surreal. This film has without question the most unusual bank raid sequence on film. Enjoy!

I was very happy to find this awesome film on DVD for $10 yesterday. I hadn't seen it for ages but I knew that buying it would result in many happy viewings in the future. My first viewing reinforced my view that this film is just as terrific and engaging as I saw it when I was a young fella. The whole gadgetry was what I loved back then. Now I still love the gadgets but the whole story makes it a terrific viewing experience.

The three main performances from the film are all unreal. Colin Friels is so great as the awkward and brilliant Malcolm, John Hargraves is super as the dodgy but good hearted crim and Lindy Davies is wonderful as Judith. She is sexy and straightforward in a really honest way that is rarely captured in any film (kinda reminds me of Rachel Griffiths).

Big plaudits have to go to the writing/producing/directing team of David Parker and Nadia Tass. The info contained on the DVD explains to us that the Malcolm character was based on Tass's brother John who was, like Malcolm, socially inept but had formidable intelligence and talent. The final character is so likable. The fact that they put the whole thing together speaks very highly of them as a film-making team (another terrific film they did was "The Big Steal").

They did a great job on the special effects too. Low budget but iconic really. The car, tram, rubbish bins (!) are brilliant. The film's opening with the tram also highlights the very special score of the film. Watching Malcolm cruise around Melbourne in his homemade tram with the music in the background is a really lovely way to open the movie.

It's been years since there has been a funny, innovative, big-hearted Australian film like this (or The Big Steal). Hopefully someone out there can match it.

A friend lent me this video about 10 years ago and since that day ive always loved this film. Its not a big budget or all star cast yet it manages to bring warmth and humour that could have been so over done (ie Forrest Gump). Its a simple tale of a simple man with a love for trams. I wont spoil the plot but as above writers have put the car chase after the bank job is THE best ever. To top this off is a fantastic piece of music by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. A hugely original, inventive and above all else Funny film. Buy, rent or borrow and you will have a smile on your face and a happy disposition at the end.

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!!

I love this film,if not for the sheer inventiveness.The locations are great as are the characters,i.e the key role of Malcolm,played with sheer professionalism by Colin Freils.The funniest moments I think,revolve around Malcolm`s gadgets.Malcolm himself is possibly autistic,as I can`t remember if it`s said in the film,but as we know,autistic people make up for their lack of social skills admirably and in Malcolm`s case,his gift is in all things mechanical.The scene that make me burst out laughing the most was the actual robbery where normal everyday bins are used for a purpose their designers could`nt have thought of in a million years!! Also the music used by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra is a work of art,as it appears to be tailor made as the scene ends up looking like a ballet,when the music pauses so does the action.My hat is doffed to the creators of such a heartwarming film,and seeing as Australian humour is very much on a par with British humour,I had no trouble "getting it". Overall,a fantastic film that should be shown every Christmas,as further generation will enjoy it aswell for years to come.I know I will