Fast Talking

In the year of police academies and street hero's, snuck in this enthusiastic though underrated little gem, about a likable teen from a broken family, who with his quick smarts and glib tongue, is always eluding authorities, and just constantly getting himself in trouble. Rod Zuanic, as the lead, Steve Carson is brilliant, turning in just what is a naturalistic and infectious likable performance, which questions, is he really acting? It's his movie, and that's what this 84 Aussie one will be remembered for. Like his older brother, who steers him in the wrong direction, like selling drugs on school campus, it's sad to see the direction, Steve's life is taking. His father is an alcoholic (an amazingly believable performance by Peter Hehir) and mother (Julie Mcgregor) has split, now going out for a man who owns a patisserie. She too, doesn't seem too interested in Steve's welfare, where to be honest, I liked the father better. Steve's only real friends are a girl he's sweet on, and his mate (Christopher Truswell- nudge from Hey Dad) who does a brilliant Frank Spencer impression, better than the clumsy klutz himself. Fast Talking is full on, in your face, not making any excuses, drama/comedy. The movie doesn't offer a solution, or a character turn as in the end credits which kind of throw us, or numb us with the point I just made about a solution. It just keeps on rolling like the character self. Steve Bisley is good, an ex con mechanic, who fires Steve's older brother, for using the premises, as a drug exchange, who befriends Steve, where you hope his words of inspiration, and life experience may change Zuanic's view, as we really root for him through the wholew movie, while feeling sorry for him. Be appreciative for Tracy Mann's screen time in this as a new teacher, who becomes another teacher figure to Zuanic. This was a movie, that didn't get the exposure it should of. For Zuanic, he's another good actor wronged, as to what his career dimly ensued. Good acting by all in this, who all pull their weight. You take the movie for what it is. A juicily entertaining film that plays by it's own rules. Even the detectives that visit the high school from a traveling stretch of Bondi Beach to Botany, don't seemed too concerned, about the drug problem.

I was quite surprised by the quality of this movie. As with another Australian treasure, "The Great McCarthy", I found FAST TALKING quite difficult to classify into any one particular genre. In fact, the more I dig into the surprisingly deep well of Australian cinema, the more I become convinced that this is so for most Australian film: at least in comparison to an international market where more movies than not are marketed expressly at a particular type of movie with a definite audience.

To give some indication of the narrative though, I could relate FAST TALKING as a coming-of-age film, though parts of it are definitely comedic. There is an element of poverty in the up-bringing of the protagonist, 14 year-old Steve Carson, in so far as he has a broken home-life; his mother divorced from his alcoholic father and his old brother a drug-dealer; though the overwhelming dramatic force in FAST TALKING is Steve's often light-hearted relationships with his peers and teachers at school in Sydney's western suburbs. Steve's escapades seem to lighten up the otherwise dreary atmosphere at a school where a high percentage of students are expected to graduate to nothing else after school but the dole.

Steve doesn't seem much interested in school, instead he lives for the weekends when he and his mates can hit the pubs and afterschool when he can undertake work on his motor-bike. While the narrative could be seen as inconsistent or maybe just unappealing because of its subject matter, it is NOT (I think) so erratic as to turn most people from enjoying it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

FAST TALKING is also an all-star cast of Australian actors, albeit of varying qualities. The old dependable Bisley is there as a junkyard mechanic who takes a liking to our irreverent lead character, Julie McGregor appears briefly as his mother, as does Angelo D'Angelo the "BMX Bandit". Lucky Grills pops in as a police detective, and Antoinette Byron from "Home & Away" and "Melrose Place" has a small cameo as a cashier.

Oh, and cool Rat's Tails and Mullets, almost in pure Aussie Pub Rock style!

'Fast Talking' is a pretty good Aussie drama, despite a somewhat crappy, or at least unresolved ending (for me, anyway). Similar, I suppose to the 1979 American teen outlaw drama, 'Over the Edge,' 'Fast Talking' is about an elusive fifteen-year old trouble maker named Steve Carson (you probably remember actor Rod Zuanic best as Scrooloose in the third Mad Max movie). Already a pro dope dealer from a broken down family. His mom left with a cake shop owner, his dad's an unemployed stumbling drunk who tries to get rich fast by training greyhounds, and his brother uses him to push drugs at the school. Although, Steve befriends the owner of a motorcycle graveyard and one teacher who is sure to get fired for helping him out, there seems to be few meaningful options for the kid. The movie is basically all about one spot of trouble after another that Steve gets himself into, and tries to fast talk his way out of. With an outlaw, you should always expect a dramatic exit.

Its a decent drama with Zuniac doing a fantastic job as Steve. Teenagers, at least, are probably sure to enjoy it if, of course, you don't mind obscure 80s Aussie dramas (it's not a tearjerker or anything like that). It is definitely worth a go, if you can find it.

Thoroughly wonderful Aussie comedy/drama starring the terrific Rod Zuanic as Steve Carson, a mischievous teenager who forms an unlikely friendship with a hard-nosed mechanic (Steve Bisley). Its magic is that it is so unforced, yet it is rich in character and directed with an intimate, effortless, breezy style. Ken Cameron, who later helmed the excellent miniseries 'Brides of Christ', conveys great affection for his mostly dysfunctional, fascinating characters and offers sharp social commentary that never tramples the story. Underrated and underscreened, it joins ignored classics such as "No Worries", "Shame" and "Summerfield" as another exhibit in the Aussie Hall of Theatrical Shame, a gallery for films given scant theatrical exposure and little critical attention. Every role in "Fast Talking" is beautifully cast. Peter Hehir (who played "Burt" in the great Aussie series 'The Sullivans') is sensational as Steve's alcoholic father who spouts one of the film's best lines: "I taught him everything he knows, and he still doesn't bloody know anything!" Tracy Mann, as a sympathetic schoolteacher, turns in a great performance, as does Peter Collingwood as a school principal who's seen too many boys like Steve Carson in his time. David Gribble's cinematography sparkles, and David Huggett's sharp, intuitive editing is a real plus. The film is hilarious at times and is never less than totally believable.

I recently watched the Australian film 🇦🇺 Fast Talking (1984) on Tubi. The storyline follows a young boy whose mother has abandoned him, leaving him with a neglectful, alcoholic father. Determined to make money on the streets, he relies on his gift of gab, though it doesn't always work out in his favor.

Written and directed by Ken Cameron (Dangerous Remedy), the film stars Steve Bisley (Mad Max), Tracy Mann (Hard Knocks), Peter Collingwood (Picnic at Hanging Rock), Rod Zuanic (Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome), and Richard Carter (Mad Max: Fury Road).

Fast Talking features a unique and complex main character who is both frustrating and sympathetic. His struggles and poor decisions at such a young age evoke genuine empathy from the audience. The film provides an intriguing glimpse into the Australian school system and lifestyle, portrayed authentically by the talented cast.

In conclusion, Fast Talking is an engaging and distinctive coming-of-age story from Australia that is worth watching. I would give it a score of 5.5/10 and highly recommend it.