The Castle (1997) / Comedy

MPAA Rated: R for language
Running Time: 85 min.

Cast: Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Anthony Simcoe
Director: Rob Sitch
Screenplay: Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Rob Sitch
Review published May 8, 1999

The "castle" of the title in this case refers to the beloved home of a lower-class Australian family who lives near an airport and is quite happy in doing so. Trouble comes to the house in the form of an airport expansion proposal which wants to evict the family and their neighbors. The family knows almost nothing about protecting themselves but refuses to leave the home they love so much and are taken to court.

THE CASTLE is an enjoyable if altogether inconsequential comedy which pokes fun at how low-class and unsophisticated the family is. Even ice cream is too ritzy for this bunch and all the niceties we take for granted are cutting edge there. Of course, this type of eccentric and uncultured small-town family has been done countless times before, in fact the Coen brothers and Adam Sandler have made a career out of just these kinds of people. Still, the film passes by with ease and if it's never truly knee-slapping funny, it will probably have you smiling the whole way through.  Recommended as a pleasant momentary diversion.

Qwipster's rating:

©1999 Vince Leo