The Nugget

This new film from Bill Bennett is far better than the critics suggest. Not perfect by any means, but still a real typical Aussie film with a spirit we haven't seen since "The Castle". All actors are good in their roles, and it is especially good to see Eric Bana coming back to Australia to make films even though he is now an international superstar. Occassionally Dave O'Neil does not seem as natural as the two other leads, and the narration is at times a little annoying, but overall I had quite a few laughs with this film. Seven out of ten.

It is now some time since I saw The Nugget. I found it entertaining and chuckled througout it's entire length. The humour may be lost on non-Australians and maybe even on those Australians who haven't spent much time outside of inner Sydney or Melbourne. But if you have grown up or spent some time in rural or regional Australia you will definately appreciate the humour in this film.

Lotto (Eric Bana, perhaps the only actor known in the States in this film), and his two buddies Wookie and Sue (yes, a boy named Sue), work for the road department. They live in semi-rural Australia and, while the jobs pay the bills, these guys dream big. To bask in extreme wealth, that's their goals. But, too often, to the chagrin of their wives, they blow money on bets and frivolity. Lotto even uncovers a 100 thousand dollar ticket but, bad luck, the tiny scratch off falls in a drain, never to be seen again. Desperate, the men have heard that "there's gold in them ther hills" nearby. Purchasing an expensive metal detector, they spend every weekend searching for treasure. What a way to make mates happy! Nevertheless, they find a HUGE nugget of gold and, very joyful, bury it. But, someone has watched them. Now, they must resort to trickery to get it back. Can they do it? Oh, and they have already told their boss to take their jobs and shove em! This is a fine Australian comedy with the one and only Eric Bana, made just as he was reaching stardom. He is funny and, along with his two co-horts, form a great new trio of stooges. The rest of the cast is nice, too, as is the scenery, script, and fun-filled direction. You won't be a fool to go for the gold with this little winner!

The Nugget is a feel good Aussie movie about a few mates. Nothing complex, nothing fancy, just a few blokes finding out why it's good to have mates.

Many people have criticised the film for jokes which fall flat, and it does have a few shockers. There are also some real gems in there though, which make it well worth sitting through those that don't go down so well. The 'simple' script also serves to enhance the movie - after all, they're simple blokes. Enjoy The Nugget for what it is and you'll have a good laugh.

Enough chat, let's have a beer.

So you look at this movie and think - Eric Bana, great, Vince Colosimo, good, that guy from the Castle, yeah, good. You think Australian film set in a country town, plenty of potential here. This has to be great. How wrong could you be ? Characters that could be straight out of a primary school students "composition" book, a story line so projected Blind Freddy could see it coming and so many stereotypes and failed gags you'll be embarrased to watch it. I could only begin to feel the actors pain upon seeing themselves in this absolute flop of a movie.