Films Outside the Loop Jeanne Chappé

There are some films that grab me by the soul and some that grab me by the proverbial balls. This film grabs me by just about everything! I have a fondness for Australian movies and a dislike for movies that are predictable. This movie is Australian and it is not predictable in any way.

The director of this movie is Stephen Elliott who directed "Eye of the Beholder" and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".

We first meet Teddy (Johnathan Schaech) in New York City where he is clandestinely selling Australian bush cockatoos out of the back of a truck in an alley. Teddy is a total love hunk beyond any doubt. For one thing, no living human being can have teeth that are THAT white! His smile will blind you. His scam with the Aussie birds goes terribly wrong and what happens after that makes me think Australians assume that everyone in New York City carries a handgun...apparently they are quite correct. There is a great cameo by Tina Louise in this sequence of events and Rachel Griffiths is exquisite as Sylvia! I loved the price tag hanging from Sylvia's faux fur coat.

When his birds take off...so does Teddy. Teddy follows his fleeing cockatoos to the outback of Australia. When Teddy hits a kangaroo with his VW van, he puts it out of its misery with a shovel and this starts an intriguing chain of events. Barry Humphries (better known as Dame Edna Everage) is not to be missed as a blind gas station attendant...just keep poking the side of the van until you find the hole. Teddy meets Angie (Susie Porter) at the same gas station while taking a shower that cost $10.00. Towels cost extra. Is Angie every guy's dream? What guy wouldn't want a nympho virgin??? You might want to reconsider your decision. Angie takes off with Teddy in the van and she sings Rogersson Hammerstein (her words)...way OFF key! When Teddy admits to Angie that he loves her...she cold cocks him, pumps him full of drugs and takes him home to Woop Woop from which there is no escape! Teddy then discovers that he and Angie were married when he was out cold. There is actual video coverage of this event! Angie is dumber than a stump and MEAN, too. Just what you want in a nympho virgin.

The town of Woop Woop cannot be described. For one thing...it was taken off the map. Daddy'O (Rod Taylor) rules the town with an iron hand and he is Angie's father. Another bit of good news for Teddy. There are armed guards everywhere and showtunes play continually through loud speakers. VERY LOUD SPEAKERS! There is apparently a shortage of coffee in Woop Woop but plenty of booze, blue eye shadow and bullets to go around. I won't mention Ginger's flatulence.

There are some flashes of "Mad Max", "Cherry 2000" and even "Animal Farm" but this is a very unique movie.

I won't tell you about "Dog Day" in Woop Woop (I didn't like that) but there is an absolutely magnificent funeral procession that is sort of in combination with "Garbage Day", two special celebrations in Woop Woop. You have to be there.

There is a lot of great music throughout this movie (except for the show tunes which blare continually) and watch out for THE BIG RED! Also, stay tuned until after the credits as you may see Sonny and Cher!

Runtime: 1:38

This film is available on VHS, cable or satellite.

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