Firstly the positives - it looks great and the cast is fun. Set in an idyllic beach suburb street, with colourful 70's designs, and a big cast (everyone's good in this, both parents and kids), most Australians of a certain age will find something to like about this. But it's humorous without being hilarious or much of a good time. The script and editing have made it a bit of a muddle. The two main kids are very sweet, but their storyline has no climax - do they actually go to Melbourne? The behaviour of he parents is a mystery - for a while they're all friends and up for kinky fun, then after a key party they're all enemies for no apparent reason. The gross humour of the final whale scene is a spectacular but emotionally empty note to end on. And one 70's aspect that is completely wrong is the language - it's crude and un-PC (which is accurate for 70's Australia but gets annoying after a while), but leaves out the brilliant Aussie slang of the time. See Puberty Blues for an example of it done right. That language is truly funny and endearing and would have lightened the film.
62 Reviews
Ambitious Aussie comedy, amusing but not as funny as it wants to be
MatthewInSydney22 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Lots of fun for cast and viewer
CabbageCustard19 April 2019
This is not the funniest comedy you'll ever see and it's not even a particularly effective coming-of-age story, but it is a lot of fun and entertaining from beginning to end. It boasts a great Australian cast, none of them taking themselves too seriously and all of them really enjoying themselves. It also has a quirky story stuffed full of nods to 1970's fads, values and lifestyles. If you grew up in that period, you especially will love this movie. For the rest of us, this is one of those little self-deprecating comedy gems that Australians do so well and it will give you plenty of chuckles. Highly recommended.
70's set knockabout Aussie comedy
Red-Barracuda1 July 2018
This Australian comedy takes place in the 1970's in a cul-de-sac in a suburb near a beach-front. Its knockabout story focuses on the three families who live there. Written and directed by Stephan Elliott, this film is an autobiographical account of his life as a kid back in the day, with a few inventions added for good measure.
This is a movie which will mainly appeal to those who can remember the 70's. It benefits from a colourful look which celebrates that decade's style and décor in all its gaudy excess. Just for its period detail alone, it is quite a good watch. The story is split 50/50 between the perspective of the adults and the kids. The comedy is often pretty broad and not in all honestly always fully funny, although it does definitely provide a few chuckles throughout. There is no narrative to speak of really and nothing of especial consequence happens more or less. Amongst other events, there is a beached whale, a swinger's party, kids making violent DIY movies, shag-pile carpets, K-TEL records, an Evel Knievel costume and unfortunate pets. Everything is a bit random and several scenes don't particularly lead anywhere. The concoction adds up to a sporadically amusing comedy which ultimately gets by on its fun 70' vibes.
This is a movie which will mainly appeal to those who can remember the 70's. It benefits from a colourful look which celebrates that decade's style and décor in all its gaudy excess. Just for its period detail alone, it is quite a good watch. The story is split 50/50 between the perspective of the adults and the kids. The comedy is often pretty broad and not in all honestly always fully funny, although it does definitely provide a few chuckles throughout. There is no narrative to speak of really and nothing of especial consequence happens more or less. Amongst other events, there is a beached whale, a swinger's party, kids making violent DIY movies, shag-pile carpets, K-TEL records, an Evel Knievel costume and unfortunate pets. Everything is a bit random and several scenes don't particularly lead anywhere. The concoction adds up to a sporadically amusing comedy which ultimately gets by on its fun 70' vibes.
Seriously?
ben-576-10818327 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Run, don't walk. This is a mystery. Easily the worst Australian movie of all time. This has no redeeming features whatsoever.
I can't, for the life of me, even speculate why Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue etc agreed to be involved with this steaming pile of utter nonsense.
I'm shattered.
I could go on but ... there's that much wrong it's just not worth it.
STAY AWAY
If you grew up in 70's Australia - u'll get a kick out of this film.
pdb-7049414 May 2018
Ok...it's no masterpiece - but this film has genuine LOL moments and truly takes you back to 70's Australia. It makes you wonder how we ever survived our childhood....truly haha. It's so surreal it's hard to believe that really was how we were.
First half of the film is great but dies in the second half. Goes from a roller coaster of laughs to dullsville.....and has a stupid ending. Thankfully the first half made it all worthwhile.
I'm glad I saw this film....and if you would like to time travel back to the 70's - you will have a hoot.
If you were not a child / parent of 70's Australia - not sure what your take on this film would be. But you may still get a kick out of seeing how things were.
Great cast.....fun times.
An absolute blast- no it's not Gone With the Wind
rbryant-904607 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I went into this film expecting nothing, and I was impressed. I was a bit sad about the turtle not being freed, but throughout the film I laughed out loud. I loved Kylie Minogue's ernest and restrained performance, and I loved seeing a whole new side to Rhada Mitchell. It has the manic and brash quality that aussie films of the period actually had (remember They're a Weird Mob?), and it has a certain charm. Its awesome reliving the era, and it gets it spot on, I remember how tragic the 70's were. The film does acknowledge subtly the darker aspects of the period; sexism, racism and homophobia.
The director chose to root everything in the film to the truth (it's based on his youth) and that serves the film well, but having said that the plot is a bit crazy- well I guess it was a crazy time.
Having said that there is a weird kind of magic to the ooey gooey surreal explosive climax to the film, that I loved.
Free all turtles! haha. I recommend you see it. I loved Priscilla, Welcome to Woop Woop; they are all very different films, and that's a good thing.
A wasted opportunity
cbrleah6 May 2018
As much as this movie looked like a solid offering filled with laughs and an all star cast it ultimately ends up a complete mess of story lines and underdeveloped characters.
It's filled with needless cutbacks that deliver nothing and scenes that should have been left on the cutting room floor. A lot of scenes I just wondered whether the director was doing favours for mates who wanted a small speaking role to camera.
While non linear story arcs are fantastic this one wasn't executed well and cut back and forth so many times whatever the story line is meant to be is not evident. What was the main plot line? Was it the whale, the swinging session, the young girl who would seem to be the focus of much of the movie but of whom we learn almost nothing, or the childhood movie that is apparently being made throughout the film? None of these otherwise acceptable plot lines went anywhere.
The parents are all hideous people except maybe Jeremy Sims' character but again there's no real purpose or explanation to any of their motivations. Kylie is wasted in her role of a blubbering mess that completely unexplored. The teenage girl is written off as he street 'bike' and the other children engage in bratty behaviour with a side of animal cruelty.
I was genuinely excited to see Julian McMahon in an Australian movie and really thought this would be an absolute treat but it just failed miserably. I gave it 4 stars but even that's probably too generous.
It's filled with needless cutbacks that deliver nothing and scenes that should have been left on the cutting room floor. A lot of scenes I just wondered whether the director was doing favours for mates who wanted a small speaking role to camera.
While non linear story arcs are fantastic this one wasn't executed well and cut back and forth so many times whatever the story line is meant to be is not evident. What was the main plot line? Was it the whale, the swinging session, the young girl who would seem to be the focus of much of the movie but of whom we learn almost nothing, or the childhood movie that is apparently being made throughout the film? None of these otherwise acceptable plot lines went anywhere.
The parents are all hideous people except maybe Jeremy Sims' character but again there's no real purpose or explanation to any of their motivations. Kylie is wasted in her role of a blubbering mess that completely unexplored. The teenage girl is written off as he street 'bike' and the other children engage in bratty behaviour with a side of animal cruelty.
I was genuinely excited to see Julian McMahon in an Australian movie and really thought this would be an absolute treat but it just failed miserably. I gave it 4 stars but even that's probably too generous.
I thought this was funny
akurschybee6 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is truly for us 50 & 60 somethings that grew up in the 70's. All the references were hilarious! I'm an American and my childhood was VERY MUCH like this movie. It's a nod to a time that was so cool in one respect and so ridiculous in another. Plastic runner mats, crazy free gifts, our parents getting together to do 'whatever' while us kids burned the neighborhood down. I feel this movie is SUPPOSED to be silly and ridiculous - just like the 70's - humorously outlining what our parents were experiencing and what us kids were experiencing simultaneously. Right down to those stupid fondue pots that EVERYONE had. If you didn't experience the 70's - you may not like or understand this movie as a lot of the references are pretty subtle - except for the whale - which was absolutely a true event but in the USA.
Just awful
hardgroove200129 April 2018
I don't tend to write many movie reviews, but I felt compelled to write one for this movie to warn people of how terrible it is. So much great Australian talent is wasted on this film. There are no characters you can actually warm to. But if you're a fan of animal cruelty, bratty kids, irresponsible parents, underdeveloped characters, unfocused storylines and over-the-top stereotypes, this is the film for you. Otherwise, avoid. What a waste of precious grant money that could have gone to a better movie.
It's Not A Classic But It's Good
LouieInLove20 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed it. This is a caricature look at the world before health & safety & PC fascism; where victims were just soft & folk simply had to get on with it. Yes, there were casualties, but these times were free of knowing mass uncensored judgement from a glance at a phone. This was a more innocent & less paranoid time - definitely a little more dangerous & fun.
All the actors did a good job.
All the actors did a good job.
Silly, with some plain stupid moments
mb_cine_films4 February 2018
Energy abounds in this Aussie flick with lots of great set design and costumes to match and that's as far as it got for me. The rest was a bit of a dissapointment.
Yes, I did expect a certain vulgarity to be present but some aspects of the narrative I just found just silly and at times plain stupid. Several minutes of voice over and fast cutting I found overwhelming at the start. There were some set pieces I found funny and was laughing along with the rest of the audience who were at times laughing more than I did, however it was these ridiculous parts of storyline that killed it for me. They kinda were absurd but the execution was where the word silly and stupid came in.
Guy Pearce is always great but overall the cast's characters were not developed enough. Kylie Minogue and Jack Thompson's characters in particular were strangulated by the lack of thought given to them in the script. Mr Thompson's character just didn't go anywhere or vary. Not to blame him at all.....there was little heart in the characters overall.
The sound mix however was well executed.
Yes, I did expect a certain vulgarity to be present but some aspects of the narrative I just found just silly and at times plain stupid. Several minutes of voice over and fast cutting I found overwhelming at the start. There were some set pieces I found funny and was laughing along with the rest of the audience who were at times laughing more than I did, however it was these ridiculous parts of storyline that killed it for me. They kinda were absurd but the execution was where the word silly and stupid came in.
Guy Pearce is always great but overall the cast's characters were not developed enough. Kylie Minogue and Jack Thompson's characters in particular were strangulated by the lack of thought given to them in the script. Mr Thompson's character just didn't go anywhere or vary. Not to blame him at all.....there was little heart in the characters overall.
The sound mix however was well executed.
If you weren't there it will not make sense, if you were you will pee yourself
ajm-420-96085328 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
So polarising yet surprisingly so accurate.
Being a teenager in the 1970s it brought back so many memories. What you think such things portrayed in the movie cold not possibly happen? Just to mention a few: Cracker fights...yep Riding in the back of the station wagon...yep Pissed on when stung by a bluebottle....yep Saw beached whales blown up as they were too big to be moved...yep (Toogoom Beach QLD 1968) "Enthusiastic" young ladies....yep Stupid dangerous stunts involving fire and bikes/cars....yep Being stuck in the rumpus room while the adults misbehaved...yep Made to wear really stupid clothes....yep High shoes for men...yep (and I am 6'2") Everyone smoking everywhere....yep Police drinking beer on the job....yep Getting hurt and having adults just tell us to toughen up...yep Drink driving everywhere all the time.....yep
All of those things I witnessed or was involved in personally.
This is a brilliant film and every time I watch it I see something new.
As I stated in the headline; if you were there it is very, very funny, if not then you will most likely think it is some sort of racist homophobic sexist slapstick debacle as it has no social justice warriors, helicopter parents, safe spaces or diversity so it could not possibly be real......but it was :)
Being a teenager in the 1970s it brought back so many memories. What you think such things portrayed in the movie cold not possibly happen? Just to mention a few: Cracker fights...yep Riding in the back of the station wagon...yep Pissed on when stung by a bluebottle....yep Saw beached whales blown up as they were too big to be moved...yep (Toogoom Beach QLD 1968) "Enthusiastic" young ladies....yep Stupid dangerous stunts involving fire and bikes/cars....yep Being stuck in the rumpus room while the adults misbehaved...yep Made to wear really stupid clothes....yep High shoes for men...yep (and I am 6'2") Everyone smoking everywhere....yep Police drinking beer on the job....yep Getting hurt and having adults just tell us to toughen up...yep Drink driving everywhere all the time.....yep
All of those things I witnessed or was involved in personally.
This is a brilliant film and every time I watch it I see something new.
As I stated in the headline; if you were there it is very, very funny, if not then you will most likely think it is some sort of racist homophobic sexist slapstick debacle as it has no social justice warriors, helicopter parents, safe spaces or diversity so it could not possibly be real......but it was :)
Swinging Safari: My Good, Bad, and Ugly
tbuchalski25 June 2019
The Good:
A more uncensored version of the coming of age story. There are no poignant flashbacks of a better time for Elliott. Inept parents are ignorant of their misguided children running amok in their Australian beachside suburb. As the younger children constantly cast themselves into new dangers making stunt films, and the older children experiment with sex the adults cling with every ounce of their energies to their own misspent youths. This film presents an interesting, but altogether tragic vignette of 20th century history wherein assumptions about nature vs. nurture left cases of depression and other mental health disorders among children largely unnoticed.
The Bad: Narrative elements are awkward and fit together about as seamlessly as the clips from Jeffrey's Super 8 "stunt films." Perhaps the disjunction of the narrative style adds to the chaos and banality of real life from moment to moment, but the technique of mirroring real life on screen confuses the real power of this film. Without narrative consistency or comprehensible character arcs any message, intended or otherwise, is lost or muddled at best with nonsensical plot points. As the film draws to a close it's just too difficult to see what it tried to do, because what it did do it did so poorly.
The Ugly: Cohesive narrative. Complex characters with nuance and subtlety. These traits that we hunger for from Swinging Safari are well crafted in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, 2012). While I've been critical of Logan Lerman in a previous review, and am unconvinced about his acting ability in general, his performance as the mysterious and confused Charlie is certainly among his best, if not the best. Perks better exhibits the difficulties of childhood, especially when considering trauma and mental illness, because of its adherence to certain dramatic conventions familiar to the majority of audiences.
The Bad: Narrative elements are awkward and fit together about as seamlessly as the clips from Jeffrey's Super 8 "stunt films." Perhaps the disjunction of the narrative style adds to the chaos and banality of real life from moment to moment, but the technique of mirroring real life on screen confuses the real power of this film. Without narrative consistency or comprehensible character arcs any message, intended or otherwise, is lost or muddled at best with nonsensical plot points. As the film draws to a close it's just too difficult to see what it tried to do, because what it did do it did so poorly.
The Ugly: Cohesive narrative. Complex characters with nuance and subtlety. These traits that we hunger for from Swinging Safari are well crafted in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, 2012). While I've been critical of Logan Lerman in a previous review, and am unconvinced about his acting ability in general, his performance as the mysterious and confused Charlie is certainly among his best, if not the best. Perks better exhibits the difficulties of childhood, especially when considering trauma and mental illness, because of its adherence to certain dramatic conventions familiar to the majority of audiences.
All over the shop
lanckenj4 May 2018
I grew up in this era and expected to be entertained. Big disappointment. I wanted to walk out on it in the first 5mins but stuck in there at least for a while till I did. The nostalgia of costuming and food,toys and living of the times were spot, not all the music fitted the era. On the whole movie lacked cohesion of a entertaining story. eg what was with the Magda Subanski Sharon like character with the cricket bat????
I would be embarrassed if I was an actor to have this on my resume. I expect much more from Aussie movies.
So Disappointing!
HighclassCheapskate18 January 2018
Here's my one word review - AVOID. Now here are a few more words - this movie looked like it was a going to be a lot of fun but it just wasn't, it was terrible. The cast is great and it looks like they were at least having fun, but pity that can't be said for anyone who watches this. When you see a movie on its opening day and it's being screened on the smallest and worst screen in the 16 screen cinema complex near you, that should be your first clue that it ain't gonna be great...
There isn't really a story and what there is, it's just not interesting - the half-baked key-swapping of the parents, the kid with the camera, the miserable girl, the beached whale - it was all meant to add up to something more than what was delivered. It's really a shame because there was a lot of potential for this to be a really good look back at a time that a lot of us can (sort of) remember either as kids or as parents. If it was trying to be satire, it didn't work. Straight up funny? Nope that didn't work either.
Too many animals being mistreated in this movie as well - not funny back in the 70s, not funny now.
Maybe this should have been marketed as a mystery because I was honestly trying to figure out how so many good actors got roped into this. The costumes, hair and set design are on point though, so I'm giving 3 stars for that.
There isn't really a story and what there is, it's just not interesting - the half-baked key-swapping of the parents, the kid with the camera, the miserable girl, the beached whale - it was all meant to add up to something more than what was delivered. It's really a shame because there was a lot of potential for this to be a really good look back at a time that a lot of us can (sort of) remember either as kids or as parents. If it was trying to be satire, it didn't work. Straight up funny? Nope that didn't work either.
Too many animals being mistreated in this movie as well - not funny back in the 70s, not funny now.
Maybe this should have been marketed as a mystery because I was honestly trying to figure out how so many good actors got roped into this. The costumes, hair and set design are on point though, so I'm giving 3 stars for that.
Awful
perfectbalance-0027221 January 2018
Truly if you want to see a funny, over-the-top, cleverly irreverent film - this isn't it. In the cinema I was in not a single person laughed at any point in this film. That should tell you something.
By the time they are making a piss-joke (for the third time) that you could see coming from a mile off, my partner and I were done with this film. It lacks any coherent plot, the characters are largely unsympathetic, and the irreverence that it's aiming for is to stupid and self-conscious to work.
Grossness just isn't particularly funny or clever the way poo-jokes cease to be funny beyond three years of age.
Making politically incorrect and homophobic jokes just isn't particularly clever or funny any more. But I could have forgiven that if this movie had any sense of purpose. It doesn't. The ending is nonsensical. I couldn't wait for it to finish.
Worst Australian film I've ever seen. Definitely up for the worst film of the year. Hard to imagine anyone could make a worse film than this.
By the time they are making a piss-joke (for the third time) that you could see coming from a mile off, my partner and I were done with this film. It lacks any coherent plot, the characters are largely unsympathetic, and the irreverence that it's aiming for is to stupid and self-conscious to work.
Grossness just isn't particularly funny or clever the way poo-jokes cease to be funny beyond three years of age.
Making politically incorrect and homophobic jokes just isn't particularly clever or funny any more. But I could have forgiven that if this movie had any sense of purpose. It doesn't. The ending is nonsensical. I couldn't wait for it to finish.
Worst Australian film I've ever seen. Definitely up for the worst film of the year. Hard to imagine anyone could make a worse film than this.
OMG
kerrbear-8701827 January 2018
Loved this movie more than I thought I would.
rspc-7829728 January 2018
Simple yet brilliant accurate depiction of parenting/childhood during the 1970s. Any naysayers clearly were not brought up in this era. Wonderful fun, yet heartbreakly desperate teenage characters ground what could have been just a fluff piece. I could place every one of those characters into someone I knew from that era. The child actors were excellent. Hope to see a great deal more featuring Atticus Robb.
Somewhat funny until the swinging started
dunks38827 January 2018
This film, like most Australian movies has a great potential for laughs and to some extent delivered in the first forty so minutes however once the swinging 'started' the laughs and to some degree, the films direction stopped.
The costumes, vehicles and the whole style of the 70's was captured extremely well which makes it even more disappointing that the laughs just weren't delivered.
It certainly isn't a Castle.
Terrible movie
emes-964871 February 2018
Not much Swinging here
mblakey3320 January 2018
So far the most disappointing film of the year. Yes it's enjoyable and there are plenty of cheap laughs plus a few shocking moments. The plot was all over the place which made some cuts a little confusing. Guy Pearce was the star of the adult based actors while Kylie Minogue was a massive let down (Seemed just a massive profile face to bring more people to watch the movie) no doubt people who lived through the 70's might see this differently to what someone who grew up in the 90's but for me I'd recommend people to wait until this hits 7Mate one Saturday night during summer. Score: 3.5/10
One and a half laugh free hours.
komaklown28 April 2018
Absolute Aussie Gold.
mitch-tara27 February 2019
This is so hilarious...it's like a documentary of my childhood in suburban Australia in the late 70's / early 80's. So scarily accurate. The clothing, the styling, the music, the parents, the language, the houses ...everything. Absolute Gold. Could not stop laughing. You have to be an Aussie to really 'get' this movie, I think.
Absolutely terrible! Worst movie I've seen in years and years!
jtlynn-496107 June 2018
I've never taken the time to leave a review on here but this movie is just so bad I had to mention it. Amazing cast...and that's about it. Not funny and just damn weird! So disappointed with it..had to keep watching incase it got better...but it just kept getting worse!
Dreadful
egleeson27 May 2018
Almost zero building of characters. Didn't care what happened to them. I have seen over 100 movies in the past 2 years & this is by far the worst ... & I grew up in the 70s so hoped I would warm to the film . Tried way too hard in terms of acting & film sets. Generally love many of the Oz classics like Castle, Crocodile Dundee ( 1st one ) Muriel's Wedding, Adventures of Barry McKenzie. But this was just awful.
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