The Heckler

'Can Steve repossess his body before this idiot destroys his relationships, his finances and his one shot at fame?' is the question posed by the Melbourne based filmmakers in The Heckler.

Australian comedies don't always hit the spot - but it's hard not to laugh out loud watching The Heckler, about a comedian, in the world of comedy, written by a comedian, starring comedians, set in a comedy club in the lead up to a comedy competition. Finally! A comedy about comedy!

It's a slow start, that builds a world that is real and unreal, credible and incredulous and we go with it - we go with the heckler and the comedian for an entertaining ride in the world of stand up comedy. Which couldn't have been easy to achieve - given stand up comedy is about getting real - and telling it as it is - and this film is a body swap film - which is anything but real. But they pull it off! A well crafted blend of all that you want to see in a comedic film, with the truth and rawness of stand up comedy at it's core.

The surprise is that it's also heartwarming and charming in a way that most comedies fail to manage. It's very well cast, with comedians who are also actors, and actors who have comedic timing. Well directed, well written and a film that comedians and audience alike will enjoy.

It's an easy film to enjoy, good for date night, boys or girls night out, and families with teenagers - and great entertainment. Pure entertainment.

I hope to see this film continue it's sold out, award winning COMEDY festival run and ends up on TV and in cinemas for more to enjoy.

A pitch black Australian comedy that gives heckling an all new bad name and gives one reason to think that this is the type of film you can see someone like the Coen Brothers tackling as a remake in the future, the low budget comedy The Heckler is a film that makes very little sense in the way of logic but provides enough hearty laughs to suggest a cult audience awaits it in the years to come.

Continuing on with the recent spate of DIY Australian films, The Heckler is rough around the edges and very far from a cinematic masterclass but it's also another fine example of local filmmakers and actors getting together and giving the movie making business a red hot crack.

Directed by Ben Plazzer and starring local talents Simon Mallory and Chris Fortuna, The Heckler was filmed in and around the most liveable city in the world Melbourne (in your face Sydney!) and it gives local city landmarks like the Palais Theatre a time to shine in amongst some seriously twisted and demented situations.

From deaths in toilet stalls to creepy body swaps, The Heckler isn't afraid to get both crazy and dark and it's all the better for it. At its best when allowing Mallory's well-meaning wannabe stand-up comic star Steve and Fortuna's downright evil (and dead!) heckler Mike to spar with each other, The Heckler can get hilarious and chaotic when the two go at it but does lose momentum when trying to get touchy feely. The warm moments in the picture really seem better suited to another film entirely and with its foot firmly in the world of bizarre, the film would've benefited greatly from its less preachy moments.

One of the more impressive small budgeted Australian comedies to hit the marketplace in some time, The Heckler will be a particular joy to those that like their comedies painted in jet black and for anyone that calls Melbourne home. Unique in many ways and harbouring an idea that will likely one day see a reincarnation from an off shore source, The Heckler is a little Aussie comedy that could and is a trip to the comic lounge that's worth your time.

3 Western Bulldogs t-shirts out of 5

Good acting and laughs, especially towards the end. I left pleased with a what just happened vibe.

Home grown films are disappointing 90% of the time, but this had me feeling patriotic. Made in Australia where I live. Low budget, which doesn't help, but character driven. It was lacking an artistic feel, much like what soap operas lack stylistically, but the situations in it were well thought out. Good pacing.

The movie builds up into a nuts vibe and the whole audience was setting us off. It was a premier screening I think, so there was a critical mass for this.

Recommended if you like comedies!