Back of Beyond

Back of Beyond (B of B) is one of the most profoundly terrible films I have ever seen.

From the flat performances and boring characters to the plot that is completely predictable from the first scene, B of B has nothing to engage or entertain the viewer.

The tedium that is B of B can best be summed up by what happened during the screening I attended. An individual in the row behind me not only received three mobile phone calls, but made two more. No one. I mean no one complained, I think because his banal conversations were more interesting than the events onscreen.

This film reinforces my opinion that Australia makes the worst English-language films in the world. Trust me. I'm Australian, and I've seen the tripe we make. Unfortunately the rare gems of Australian cinema (The Boys, Mad Max, Muriel's Wedding etc) are swamped by the dross that is B of B.

Avoid

"Back of Beyond" takes place at a dive diner/gas station in the middle of the Australian desert run by Tom McGregor (Paul Mercurio), a shy guy who suddenly finds himself in a spot of trouble when some visitors unexpectedly arrive. We get what, at first, confusingly seems like a flashback in which he and his sister (though their relationship to each other is better understood later in the film) are speeding through the desert on his motorcycle. Afterwards, he appears as a terribly quiet, and sometimes, moody character in the presence of the arrivals.

We know one thing is for sure and that is McGregor's sort of spiritual sense, his foresight of danger and such--his clairvoyance only slightly relevant to the story, the bulk of which concerns three diamond thieves who's car breaks down and who rely on Tom to help them out of spot without getting in their way. Of course, Tom falls for one of the thieves, a young woman named Charlie, and suddenly, it pits all three already mistrusting allies against each other. But not in a way that really results in anything of much mystery or action. In fact, the whole movie all the while seems to want to build up to something significant, but really fails to do so. Even the ending, of which plays out like a trite campfire tale (and one that really reveals a lot of narrative flaws), is almost just as ridiculous.

It may be worth trying if you don't mind the terribly slow pacing, but are in the mood, at least, for something a little different than the usual.

Poor Paul Mercurio. After landing the role of Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom, the best film in history, he managed to find himself doing a lot of rubbish. None of the characters in this film is very unlikable, or even hateable, but Mercurio's lead is the sort of person you prefer to ignore - completely unloveable and he wears OVERALLS. Big mistake in costume design, that one.

Paul Mercurio has a habit of playing in a lot of duds. He's not the best actor around, with only a string of stuff to his name, and here is another dud. This is basically the story. I'll runs it down. Out in the outback Mercurio and little Sis work at a garage/ milk bar. To fight boredom, he takes a few spins out on his motorbike, one which tragically backfires, killing Sis (Elmagalou). Here's the rest of the movie, Friels, a jewel smuggler, his girlfriend (Dee Smart), and other accomplice (John Polson) break down, and guess where they end up. So really the rest of the film is like a stage play set in the milk bar, where Mercurio, still guilt ridden, falls for Smart. Of course what ensues, becomes a hostage premise, Friels, really good, going all crazy like. What I loved though was Terry Serio's small performance, as a larrikin passing through. Back Of Beyond rides on too little, and thinks somehow, with only this, it can be carried off. Way wrong. I must admit, you'll find Mercurio's pathetic acting funny, in some scenes with his pink shirt and overalls. Strangely, all other the performances, including Elmagalou's are way much better.

I totally disagree with the other reviews.All basically negative.I took a chance on this movie and was glad that I did.Glad indeed.I couldn't find anything wrong with it.Nothing period.The script is original.The actors are all likable and convincing.Dee Smart reminded me of Marcia Brady from the Brady Bunch.But this gal truly can act.The setting in the Australian Outback is perfect.Incredible scenery.Great soundtrack i.e Paul Kelly.God bless Paul Kelly.The Cranberries are also here.I have seen this movie twice in less than 24 hrs.I will probably watch it again.It is that interesting.It makes one think.It is(was)probably better than nine-tenths of the so-called Hollywood blockbusters that were also out during this time.Back Of Beyond is a likable.Well photographed film.I couldn't find anything wrong with it.Check it out!My first review!