Big Steal, The (Nadia Tass, 1990) wr. David Parker with Max Dunn, dp David Parker; Ben Mendelsohn, Claudia Karvan, Steve Bisley, Marshall Napier, Damon Herriman, Angelo d'Angelo, Tim Robertson; romantic comedy, revenge fantasy
Danny wants two things in life more than anything else, one is a Jaguar and the other is Joanna Johnson. After Danny's parents give him their beloved Nissan Cedric, Danny works up the courage to ask Joanna out on a date ... One problem! He tells her that he owns a Jaguar, and to prove otherwise, he trades in the Cedric for an early model Jag. At the car yard he is conned into believing he is getting the deal of the century by the salesman, Gordon Farkas.
Another charming film from the Tass-Parker partnership, about a young man and his Jaguar, and his father's Cedric. The two outstanding performances are those of the two fathers, Danny's being Marshall Napier. When he finds out what has happened to his beloved Cedric, he emits a most convincing primal scream. Johanna's father, played by Tim Robertson, gives Danny a more-than-stern talking-to before he takes her out on their first date, telling him not to touch her breasts. Danny says it's only their first date. 'What!' shouts Mr Johnson. 'Were you going to touch them on the second?!' I think it's one of the funniest scenes in Australian comedy. Mendo's acting is pretty good too.
Garry Gillard | New: 6 November, 2012 | Now: 1 December, 2019