Strange Planet (1999)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Emma-Kate Croghan

Writers:

Stavros Kazantzidis (story)
Stavros Kazantzidis (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

7 October 1999 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

3 girls. 3 guys. 365 days to get it together.

Plot:

This romantic comedy takes place over the course of one year - opening on New Year's Eve of one year and closing exactly one year later...

Plot Keywords:

Friend | New Year's Eve | Marriage | Cell Phone | Thirty Something

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Claudia Karvan	...	Judy
Naomi Watts	...	Alice
Alice Garner	...	Sally
Tom Long	...	Ewan
Aaron Jeffery	...	Joel
Felix Williamson	...	Neil
Hugo Weaving	...	Steven
Rebecca Frith	...	Amanda
Marshall Napier	...	Robert
Loene Carmen	...	Amy
Heidi McDonald	...	Bridget
Harry Cripps	...	Paul
Rebel Penfold-Russell	...	Producer
Hugh Baldwin	...	Bob
Helen Thomson	...	Lulu

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:MA | New Zealand:M | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Quotes:

Ewan: I'd tell my friend it's a risky game falling in love with a married man, and that if you play tennis with the devil, you can't complain if he cheats.

Movie Connections:

References Taxi Driver (1976)

Soundtrack:

Sweet Pain (Joì Remix)

An Australian triumph

Fans of Australian film cannot possibly ignore Emma-Kate Croghan's triumphant second feature. I have not personally seen the apparently superior "Love and Other Catastrophes", but must say that it would have to be an absolute masterpiece to beat "Strange Planet".

Effortlessly sophisticated humour from writer/producer Stavros Kazantzidis (also of "Love and Other Catastrophes"), classy direction from Croghan and magnificent performances from all involved make this film one to be remembered for a long time. It undoubtedly rates alongside the best Australian comedies of the last decade, such as "Two Hands" and "Kiss or Kill". Claudia Karvan and Naomi Watts (recently discovered for her magnificent performance in David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive") give spectacular performances, as does the ever-reliable Hugo Weaving.

The disarming charm and style of "Strange Planet" leaves many overseas romantic comedies seem like insignificant gurgles in the background. No-one who enjoys the sophistication and class of Australian cinema can avoid this wonder-work. Four bright, sparkling stars for "Strange Planet".