Just saw the world premiere of Roy Holsdotter Live at the Adelaide Film Festival, and was thoroughly impressed. Like a good short story, the film is a character study, and gives a glimpse of a time and place - but at less than an hour, it's neat, concise, and incisive.
The eponymous Roy (Darren Casey, superb, Pacino-esque) is a cocaine-snorting, small-time comedian, eking out a living in a Melbourne bar (run by John Clarke, in a neat supporting role). He's talented - so much so that rival comedians steal his material - but his performances are becoming increasingly bitter and unfocussed, leaving his audience baffled. His best mate Simmo (Luke Elliot) and ex-girlfriend Cate (Asher Keddie) watch as Roy becomes increasingly derailed.
Perfectly modulated, funny and sad in equal parts, Roy Holsdotter Live is well worth seeing. An auspicious debut for writer-director Matthew Saville - I eagerly anticipate his next project.
