Beware of Greeks... Bearing Guns (2000) User Reviews

a vendetta in Crete

[varkaris · 13 May 2000]

Lakis Lazopoulos gives a great performance in his debut to movies.He personifies the twin brothers of a Cretan village.The first-born brother has to revenge the killing of his grandfather though the other brother is the one who has the guts to do such a thing.Magnificent music by Mikis Theodorakis,unique scenery from Crete and amusing plot in Australia:these are the basic elements of the movie.Hilarious comedy mostly in English but enhanced with the perfect personality of the classical 'evil woman' of the Greek cinematography,viz. Tasso Kavvadia.The agony of the vendetta and the power of love form the basis for this well-conceived story.Rural life in contrast with the city mess of buildings create a solid ground to enjoy concepts of Greek tradition:hospitality,willingness to help('filotimo') and respect for women.Clever jokes and a warm hymn to friendship and love embellish the 2-hour story of human joy against pain and seclusion.

a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

[kurt120 · 26 February 2003]

European and Australian movie values mix in Beware of Greeks Bearing Guns, a subtle comedy about love and pride. Lakis Lazopoulus, revered in his home country as the 'Greek Seinfeld', makes his feature film debut alongside experienced Australian actress Zoe Carides. Lazopoulos plays a Greek school teacher expected to avenge the murder of his grandfather 57 years ago. Growing up with the expectation that he would clear his Yiayia's (grandmother's) vendetta has proved tough for gun shy Manos, but making it worse is the fact his more volatile twin brother George (also cleverly played by Lazopoulos) is keen to take destiny into his own hands. However, tradition decrees that the oldest son must do the honurs and when the long missing murderer is discovered in Melbourne, Manos must face his demons, leaving George behind to stew in his own juices. In Melbourne he is tutored in the art of assassination by old family friend Stephanos (John Bluthal) and is reunited with his hostile former fiancee Nicki (Carides). Only when George arrives in Australia to take control of the job is the truth of the vendetta revealed. Clocking in at a short 82 minutes, Beware of Greeks.doesn't waste any time. Director John Tatoulis works to a tight schedule and succeeds in telling a good story without the unnecessary embellishment experienced in Let's Get Skase, his last major outing. Also worth noting is the film debut of striking Claudia Buttazzoni who graces the screen as Nicki's daughter. Buttazzoni, who has had guest appearances in Home and Away, Neighbours and Blue Heelers, gives a great performance as a teenager looking for her identity, reminiscent of Pia Miranda in Looking For Alibrandi.