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Chairs, mate
A wacky loser decides to go for a ride via helium-balloon-assisted patio furniture in the light and enjoyable Australian comedy "Danny Deckchair."
By ROBIN EISGRAU
Offoffoff.com
Set in Australia, this cute, though somewhat silly, romantic comedy tells the story of hapless construction worker Danny Morgan (played by Rhys Ifans, who was Hugh Grant's loopy roommate in "Notting Hill") and the very unusual way he travels from his Sydney suburb to an idyllic country town and the way his trip changes his life.
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| | | DANNY DECKCHAIR | Written and directed by: Jeff Balsmeyer.
Cast: Rhys Ifans, Miranda Otto, Justine Clarke, Andrew Crabbe, Rhys Muldoon .
Cinematography: Martin McGrath.
Edited by: Suresh Ayyar.
Related links: Official site |
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Extremely disappointed that his girlfriend Trudee (Justine Clarke) won't go on a camping trip with him during his vacation, he ties a dozen-plus huge helium balloons to a lawn chair during a barbecue (or as they say in the film, "barbie") just to see what happens. The next thing he knows, he's up, up and away over the city. He lands in a backyard tree belonging to the solitary traffic cop Glenda (Miranda Otto, last seen in the "Lord of the Rings" films) in the verdant small town of Clarence.
There his life turns 360 degrees around. Glenda tells the townsfolk that he's a professor of hers from university, he shaves off his beard and cuts his hair and makes a great impression on the citizens of Clarence at the town's Macadamia Ball. He and Glenda fall in love and he becomes campaign manager for a local politician.
Meanwhile, back home, the media have pounced on the story of Danny's wacky dissapearance and have laid siege to his home and Trudee has become a media darling. Soon the media finds him in Clarence and everything gets turned upside down for Danny.
Bouyant and lively, "Danny Deckchair" is the perfect film to see after a crummy day at the office; it's sure to lift your spirits. The film has a similar feel to "Muriel's Wedding"
(loser leaves hometown, life changes drastically) and the footage of the town of Clarence
makes the place seem like a lush small-town paradise. The pacing is a little wacky and the story is kind of farfetched, but engaging nonetheless. Don't be surprised if more than a few people rent helium dispensers and try to fly away like Danny does if this film is a hit.
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AUGUST 13, 2004
OFFOFFOFF.COM • THE GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVE NEW YORK
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