Spin Out

I went into this movie with much lower expectations than it deserved. It came in under the radar but unlike a lot of other movies that suddenly show up out of nowhere with an unfamiliar cast, it's quite decent. I suppose that might be partly because it's an import from Australia and not just a low-budget American production.

I enjoyed pretty much every second of this movie. I wouldn't expect everyone else to think that highly of it, but I'm surprised by the average rating here on IMDB, I do think it's too low.

This is in some ways a slice of life film, that takes place over the span of one day and one night. But it's a critical day for most of the characters, many of who are contemplating leaving their rural community. The plot is focused almost entirely on romance - which was a big plus for me, not a criticism. Billy and Lucy are best friends with opposite personalities. Lucy has decided she wants to move to the big city, and Billy knows he doesn't want her to go but they're both a little slow to realize - and admit - that they're in love. Lots of angst ensues. Their friend, Sparrow, has a long time crush on Mary but is terrified to tell her - and terrified of her. Various other friends are at similar romantic crossroads.

Another review mentioned the soundtrack - it also struck me. Some of the songs were a little too emotional for my taste but the hint of drama suited the angst in the Billy/Lucy romance and the film overall is definitely light-hearted with that wacky all-night party trope you've probably seen before.

Also there's a dog named Knob. So there's that.

Not a perfect movie but I loved it. Anyone who likes stories about best friends who fall in love should definitely watch this one. I give the Billy/Lucy romance a 9/10 and the rest of the movie a 7/10.

Australian filmmaking stands tall amongst the best in global cinema. We have so many iconic works across all genres that show our love of land and respect for its traditional owners, mock our idiosyncratic humour and explore the spirit of adventure that has driven the creation of this island nation. Disappointingly, there is not a hint of any of this in the coming of age rom-com called Spin Out (2016). It is difficult to even guess why this film was made and why it had to fall so short of our Aussie film traditions, given the resources at its disposal.

The story centres on the fading outback customs of the ute muster and the Bachelor and Spinsters ball, both of which are struggling for survival against insurance costs and the social disintegration of traditional life in remote rural areas. The ute muster is a competition between ute stunt drivers who perform a variety of high risk manoeuvres in a mechanised rodeo setting, and the B & S ball is the bacchanalian booze-up that happens after the show. Billy (Xavier Samuel) and Lucy (Morgan Griffin) are stunt-driver teammates and childhood friends. After another display of Billy's immaturity, Lucy announces that she is heading for city life and leaving all of this behind. The rest of the story is about Billy's realisation that his teammate has become the girl he loves and he needs to grow up fast, a theme that is echoed amongst several of Billy's mates in their inept courting rituals. The dominant take-home memories from this film are the roaring dust storms of spinning utes and the inevitable consequences of non-stop drinking.

One can only hope that anyone seeing this film overseas realises that it is a grossly exaggerated caricature of rural stereotypes and not a portrait. The dialogue is so corny starched that many scenes read like a high-school play with acting performances that scream inauthenticity. The only shining light comes from Morgan Griffin who, despite the script, fills each close-up scene with pleasing warmth and maturity. Xavier Samuel is wasted here, especially after his fine performance in Love and Friendship (2016). Otherwise, the cast is entirely young white adults without even a nod of respect for the Indigenous inhabitants of the land so ruthlessly being ripped up by white mans' machines. The humour is puerile, fixated on stunted sexual development and a variety of bodily functions that could have been rendered funny but are not. The narrative theme of young people's progression to adulthood in the harshness of outback Australia is entirely lost in a messy confusion of juvenile slapstick sketches.

Loud and colourful are not quite enough in this very unsubtle rom-com set amongst exuberant car-mad country youths at an annual Bachelor and Spinster's weekend of fancy car stunts, hard drinking, hard dancing, hard practical joking and dreams of sex in a noisy group setting. The main young couple try every stupid rom-com ploy to pretend they won't get together and just remain best mates, but we all know they'll get together in the end.

Similar in tone to Weekend At Bernie's, this film does at least celebrate the Australian rural landscape, and a bit of rural culture, but it's all a bit OTT for me.

It's a predictable and enjoyable flick, revolving around the (good) look and the (good) acting of its rising star, Xavier Samuel and his partners, Morgan Griffin in the first place.

Frames are full of sun, fresh and good feelings, beer and cars (utes…): as stated in the synopsis it requires a young heart to enjoy it but it's well made, with good care for details and a general good taste.

Even if you cannot refrain from asking yourself what is the point of drawing circles in the dirt with you car's wheels, its current rating on IMDb (4.5 at the time I'm writing) is too low (on my opinion).

It deserves a 6. And BTW, in case you never heard Dave Baxter's 'Love Love Love' before, I'm sure you'll love it, as i did.

This was a cute film. Everyone loves a party with crazy happenings. The characters are likeable and quirky.

Not for those looking for complexity during their fun flicks. This ones just FUN!