Razzle Dazzle
By Jason Tozer
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Director: Darren Ashton |
After the success of last year's Kenny comes another mockumentary, this time delving into the world of children's dance studios and the competitive nature of dance troupe competitions.
We follow the eager students of Mr Jonathon's Dance Academy as they prepare and compete in the rounds and finals of Australia's most prestigious dance troupe competition.
As you watch you are given what (I assume) are the very extremes of the children's dance studio industry. The overbearing stage-mother and the forgetful but supportive mother; the self-absorbed competitive dance teacher and the caring but over artistic dance teacher.
These obvious contrasts are done for both comedic effect and to pad out a storyline that is otherwise very similar to anything else in the dance movie genre.
| How funny you find this film is ultimately a matter of degree. I thought it was hilarious – I thought Kenny was too |
The character contrasts aren't the only comedic devices used as one of the co-writers of the screenplay also helped write the television series The Office. At times there is a distinct Office feel to the humour and there are even moments little flashes of David Brent can be seen in Ben Miller's character Mr Jonathon.
How funny you find this film is ultimately a matter of degree. I thought it was hilarious – I thought Kenny was too.
However, despite the two being Australian films in the mockumentary genre, I'm not entirely sure that the humour is similar enough to say that if you liked one you'll like the other.
The Australian film industry has had massive success with the mocumentary genre and you really have to be happy that movies like Kenny have got people interested in Aussie cinema again.
I just hope that this newfound interest isn't dwindled on more of the same. I'd like to see more modern Aussie drama on the big screen in the same mould as Kokoda .
Australian comedies lately have been hit and miss affairs with movies like Boytown and Footy Legends being disappointing. That said, Razzle Dazzle is definitely in the 'hit' category and therefore a must-see movie, purely because it's Aussie and it's good.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This review first appeared in the Queanbeyan Age
