CROCODILE DUNDEE (1986) *1/2 It's very difficult to explain the wild popularity that this film enjoyed at the time. The male lead is more irritating and offensive than admirable or appealing, the camera relentlessly and futilely scans the female lead's face for sign of any emotion, the plot is inane drivel, and the director lets it all go to print without resort to sensationalism or anything else that might be interesting. You have to understand that, at the time, the realities of The Office Age were just beginning to become apparent. It was just dawning on the yuppies that they were stuck in a repugnant career trajectory, that political correctness was a comprehensive creed otherwise known as conformity, and that recess was gone forever. So here comes this guy who fights and drinks and generally does whatever the hell he pleases, and that appealed to them, no matter how ridiculous the things he did were. They were, at least, different. A breath of fresh air, a light, any light. And the abysmal script, which was naturally nominated for an academy award, found common ground: the Australian Bush is positively overrun with people, it looks like you can't even camp for the night without getting shot at, honked at, and recruited for an Aboriginal ritual. New York isn't all that much different, really, so put up a picture of a panda in your cubicle and get back to work! The only good part is that you know that success is going to nurture the better aspects of Paul Hogan's persona, so things will get better. And they'll learn how to keep Linda Kozlowski front and center without engaging her so much in the action. Paul likes her, she likes him, and everyone likes to see that.
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films page, or Index
go back home, or send me email
Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your novel!