Bonza

This short film depicts the life of a dysfunctional Australian family living in the suburbs from the point of view of their family dog, Bonza.

The family only relates by shouting and abusing one another, but every time they interact with the dog, they become gentle and kind. Peter Rowsthorn plays a nervous, asthmatic teenager who doesn't live up to his father's expectations. His sister has just lost her job and the father is unhappy with her as well. The parents appear to loathe one another and there's a classic scene in which the mother dances with Bonza.

The scene in which Bonza becomes part of Jesus Christ Superstar with Peter Rowshorn is priceless. The theme of resurrection is used to great comic effect with a wonderful surprise ending.

I loved this film and Peter Rowsthorn is excellent.

This is probably my favourite Australian movie. Had reasonably high production values for a short film, and often used soundtrack effects, and camera, to have the world from the point of view of Bonza the family dog. This dog is the only element that unites an otherwise fractured family. I say 'fractured' because part of the film's appeal is the mixture of comedy and realism in the family's dysfunction.

Nearly every scene is comic but some are absolute comedy gold: the family eating dinner while watching TV, 'Aha, Bonza, the Thong of Death', Mum dancing with Bonza.

Peter Rowsthorn's best work.

This is honestly one of the worst short films I've ever seen. The acting is horrible, the production values are mediocre, and the story is really stupid. It's crowned by an appropriately stupid ending. I would not recommend this film. The father in the story is excessively violent, unrealistically so. I know that there are many violent families, but the acting just doesn't make his actions seem believable. His son, who is supposed to be a student, looks like he's 35 years old. He cowers before his father and acts like a 5-year old. Then he has this stupid scene in which he wants to crucify the dog, but he leaves the door to his room unlocked. Of course his father comes in and sees it all. Now why would he leave the door unlocked and then do a really stupid scene like that when he is afraid of his father so much? It's just ridiculous. The remaining characters are just plain weak and unmemorable. The whole production is just ridiculous. I'll give it 1 out of 10 just because it was made in the 80s when productions like this were acceptable or at least tolerated.

I would dearly love to see this little gem again. I saw it once on ABC television many years ago as part of a series of short films about dogs (I think). The series contained another great short dog film called Prince (1991) starring Sean Bean which I found on Youtube. Alas no trace of Bonza (1989). I remember fondly the Jesus Christ Superstar scene but little else. It is one of those films one wants to share with other people, particularly those who love dogs. If short films can leave such lasting impressions then surely they are worth more consideration. It is lamentable that this seems lost when so much utter rubbish (film) is easy to obtain. So come on David Swann, ABC, or whoever owns the rights to this or has influence. Recognize that not all art worth preserving is painted or sculpted. A strong 9/10.

I've recently come across a copy of this recorded off-air on VHS and have digitised it. Naturally, in the process, I watched it again. And again. And then after I'd uploaded it to YouTube, again off Youtube to see if it worked!

This one really appeals to my humour, so perhaps I'm biased giving it a ten, but I couldn't give it less in all good conscience.

If you're an Aussie, you'll love it. If you're not, you'll love it too.

Search for 'Bonza (1989)' on Youtube, and you'll see what I mean.