Starstruck

This is worth looking for. Australian film maker Gillian Armstrong's delightful gem traces the path of two Aussie teens trying to make their break in show biz. This is a classic fairy tale story that includes such amusing scenes as young star Jo Kennedy practising tight-rope walking across the bar of her grandmother's pub. This film treats its teen subjects with respect rather than condescension and the finale is a showstopper. Great soundtrack of obscure 80s music, as well.

Fun comedy musical with a quirky mix of retro kitsch and early 1980s New Wave music and styles.

Bright and talented aspiring singer Jackie Mullens (played by the bright and talented Jo Kennedy) wants to make it in showbiz, aided and abetted by her precocious 14-year-old cousin/manager/songwriter Angus (Ross O'Donovan). The Mullens family members seem to have showbiz backgrounds (ballroom dancing and fortune telling) but now all live in, and run, a cool kitschy pub next to the Sydney harbour bridge that caters to a boisterous working-class crowd. Jackie is romantically pursued by Robbie (Ned Lander) from her backing band, while she is infatuated with TV talent show host Terry (John O'May).

Kennedy and O'Donovan are fantastic in the lead roles. Kennedy is a great singer, and the various musical numbers work really well. Some songs are presented like early 1980s music videos, others take inspiration from Busby Berkeley.

A Wonderful new wave camp classic,i normally don't really like musicals,but when i saw this back in the eighties i loved it. beautiful sexy Jo Kennedy plays an aspiring singer in Australia. her little cousin Angus,is her agent.campy fun movie with lots of great new wave musical numbers.pokes fun at the MGM musicals from the 40s and 50s.this was a little known,under-appreciated effort from down under. and seldom shown on TV.i don't think its out on DVD yet.but its a great movie.with colorful zany characters,its a cult film.Australia's greatest import since mad max.a must see for everyone even if your not into musicals like me.more then likely you will enjoy.10 out of 10.

I have not seen Starstruck since it's original run in the theaters but I love this movie and hope to see it again soon. I was really into new wave music at the time, especially what was coming from Manchester and Birmingham, and Dublin. I liked some Aussie bands like the Sharks but mostly I liked Aussie movies which were just starting to make an impact in America in the early 80's. Movies like Breaker Morant, Mad Max, Walkabout, Young Einstein, Gallipoli, and Starstruck. Although I have never been to Australia I have been intrigued by the quirky sense of humor I find in Aussie films. Strictly Ballroom a decade later was much in the same tradition, it had the same spirit as Starstruck. What happened to Aussie cinema? It seems that there are many Australian actors like Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe who take themselves so seriously and mostly act in Hollywood films playing non Australians. Even Peter Weir is no longer making Australian movies. I say bring em back!

I saw this during the Australian wave of films. I was being inundated on sort of dark pieces and this was an eye opener to say the least. I hadn't expected such a bright and lively piece. This is a wonderful piece of work. Everything fits. The cast is perfect. Each so in tune with their roles, each ringing true in dialogue and action. The music is both stylistically correct and true to the genre. Many times tunes written for movies that are rock or pop oriented turn out to be lame, musically incorrect, or both. This is not the case here.

Gillian Armstrong shows an airy touch, while still maintaining that solid control of characters and visually precise scene setup she has demonstrated in other films, such as "My Brilliant Career" and the sadly overlooked "Oscar and Lucinda". All in all this is an enjoyable experience. Nothing earthshattering or profound but good workmanship and totally fun.