Malcolm

A friend lent me this video about 10 years ago and since that day ive always loved this film. Its not a big budget or all star cast yet it manages to bring warmth and humour that could have been so over done (ie Forrest Gump). Its a simple tale of a simple man with a love for trams. I wont spoil the plot but as above writers have put the car chase after the bank job is THE best ever. To top this off is a fantastic piece of music by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. A hugely original, inventive and above all else Funny film. Buy, rent or borrow and you will have a smile on your face and a happy disposition at the end.

This is an absolute gem - a really original, clever and funny film. Colin Friels and John Hargreaves are brilliant, the gadgets are hilarious, and the music (from the Penguin Café Orchestra) beautifully surreal. This film has without question the most unusual bank raid sequence on film. Enjoy!

I have to say it is a good few years since I saw this film, but it has a place in my heart. As a shy person in my teenage years, I had a small affinity with Malcolm. He was so shy that he crossed the road near the beginning to avoid some kids. Not your average film lead. Some of the gadgets and vehicles were clever, and well implemented into the film. This film could not work anywhere else in the world. The sense of humour is typically Australian, and definitely adds to the film. If you ever get the chance to catch this film, do so. The music by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra also gives the film something extra.

Like an Aussie Frank Spencer, but much less manic and brilliantly inventive, naive and slow Malcolm is an only son of an overprotective mother, who has died.

Malcolm loses his job and it's suggested that he lets out a room in his mother's house that he's inherited. Helpful neighbours make out a list of questions that he may have for any prospective lodgers and before long, Frank, fresh out of prison (this being unknown, of course, to Malcolm) and soon Frank's girlfriend, Judith move in.

They're still practising "crims" and surprisingly, find Malcolm all too eager to assist them in their thieving. Malcolm, of course, doesn't see all this as anything more than fun and an excellent outlet for his technical inventions, that include remotely controlled litter bins, that act as innocuous roving cameras that move around an intended target building and relay video footage back. Malcolm also has friends now, probably for the first time in a very long while.

The rather whimsical inventions, now, look pretty dated and whilst they're impressively inventive - a getaway car that splits in half, as it's actually two motorbikes joined together, but looks like a car...this is all rather Disney-ish, except this features adults only and I reckon will appeal to an older generation more, who might appreciate their comedy more visual and innocent than the rather more crude and broad comedy cinema of today.

It's generally a likable little film and whilst one (in theory) might find Malcolm's character irritating, initially at least, one doesn't for long and at least, unlike the Farrelly brother films of excess, 'dumb' doesn't mean overplayed moronically stupid. Malcolm is a character that we might know and it is this element that warms us and carries both us and the film through its many frankly absurd plot-lines.

Twenty-six years ago, when this film was released, I'm sure its comedy and success with the public would have been high. Now, though, it seems to have a very small but devoted following that is otherwise consigned into the realms of the unknown import, that is expensive to buy, even if you can track it down. I watched it as part of the 12 DVD boxset 'Australian Cinema Collection', which is Region 0 (region-free).

I love this film,if not for the sheer inventiveness.The locations are great as are the characters,i.e the key role of Malcolm,played with sheer professionalism by Colin Freils.The funniest moments I think,revolve around Malcolm`s gadgets.Malcolm himself is possibly autistic,as I can`t remember if it`s said in the film,but as we know,autistic people make up for their lack of social skills admirably and in Malcolm`s case,his gift is in all things mechanical.The scene that make me burst out laughing the most was the actual robbery where normal everyday bins are used for a purpose their designers could`nt have thought of in a million years!! Also the music used by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra is a work of art,as it appears to be tailor made as the scene ends up looking like a ballet,when the music pauses so does the action.My hat is doffed to the creators of such a heartwarming film,and seeing as Australian humour is very much on a par with British humour,I had no trouble "getting it". Overall,a fantastic film that should be shown every Christmas,as further generation will enjoy it aswell for years to come.I know I will