May 13–20, 1999

movie shorts

The Castle

Directed by Rob Sitch
A Miramax Films release

Recommended

At first glance, you'll be tempted to laugh solely at The Castle's kitsch sensibilities, its perfectly detailed glimpse of Cooloroo, Australia, with its colorful Chia-like ephemera and overly saccharine, optimistic participants. That's fine, for this comedy writing team and their actors have a bright eye for the minutiae of the working class: the big joys that come from little things like Trading Times bargainings, stonewashed jeans and goofy box cakes. No pratfalls. No farting. No cynicism. Just people really cherishing their stuff and each other. Aided by director Rob Sitch's short shooting schedule and 16mm near-documentary filming, Castle's keepers show us life at its proud best with no sense of disadvantage or human loathing.

With Michael Caton as loving caretaker of three plain boys (one in jail), one just-married daughter (a beauty school grad with the worst-ever hairdo) and a quiet, craft-loving wife, you get a pure portrait of the adage about a man's home—even a tacky fixer-upper right next to power lines and a noisy airport—being his castle. Caton's Darryl Kerrigan extends his ditzy witticisms and open heart to everyone—his greyhounds, his bumbling lawyer pal (Tiriel Mora)—allowing them to rise to their finest. When their home and the homes of his neighbors are threatened by big government/big corporate buyouts (compulsory acquisition), Caton & Co. testify to the human spirit's ability to make each moment a treasure and to battle for what's good and right. Like Chumbawumba, the Kerrigan family and their lawyers let nothing keep them down.

Is it corny? Yes, but only in terms of its bold-as-light optimism (I'm certainly unaware of people that indomitable). Is it funny? Yes, in wild and, dare I say, warm fashion. Is it wise? It is; so much so you'll find yourself embarrassed at your own petty gripes.

-a.d. amorosi