back in the red: GETTIN' SQUARE
From sunday.ninemsn.com.au by Peter Thompson
Review given to me by Joey Cannon

Comparisons are best avoided but Gettin' Square does have similarities to Reservoir Dogs. It uses the world of violent crime to explore the eternal predicament of the individual and society but whereas Quentin Tarantino's characters are drawn deliberately from other movies, Gettin' Square is based on real life. The script is by Brisbane lawyer Chris Nyst, who has a deep familiarity with people on both sides of the justice system. Like the people caught within it, it's often badly flawed.

At the centre is a tale of genuine grievance. Barry Worth has served eight years in prison for a crime he didn't commit but, of course, no one believes him, least of all the parole board&ldots

But Barry is let out to care for his younger brother Joey after their mother dies. He's learned to cook in prison and he's determined to make a new life for himself. It's going to be tough. Nearly everyone in his world is bent.

JONATHAN TEPLITSKY: "There's the sense amongst both the crooks, the cops, the undercover agents, everyone, everyone who inhabits the film that they are all one, they all believe that they are one step ahead, when in fact they are all probably 10 steps, or in varying degrees, steps behind. And probably the one character in the whole film who thinks that getting square or going straight actually involves giving up crime is Sam Worthington's character."

Much of the comedy in Gettin' Square comes from the twist most of the characters put on their efforts to straighten out. Typical is Darren Barrington — that's veteran English actor Timothy Spall. He regards himself as a retired wiseguy and his dream is to make a success of his Gold Coast restaurant The Texas Rose. But when he involves himself in a slimming program, he can't help himself — he puts all his efforts into cheating the system.

Director Jonathan Teplitsky's first feature was the much-praised romantic comedy Better than Sex with Susie Porter and David Wenham. He brings a distinctive visual style to Gettin' Square but his main interest is the human element.

JONATHAN TEPLITSKY: "When I first read it, it was full of exuberant and wonderful characters &ldots and just reading that dialogue, it was just an absolute pleasure to read something, laugh out loud &ldots and Chris's script provided that."

There's a solid, well-developed philosophical foundation to the film. All the characters see themselves as masters of their own destiny but they have constant trouble distinguishing reality from illusion. Chris Nyst brings considerable empathy to them.

CHRIS NYST: "I've always talked about it as being the tale of little blokes doing their best which really means a tale of these survivors who all think they're going to beat the system."

Along the way, we meet Barry's nemesis, Detective DeViers — that's David Field — and Chicka Martin, the thug that complicates Darren's life. Gary Sweet has fun with this role and Freya Stafford makes a sparkling big screen debut as the very assertive but sympathetic Annie. But Chris Nyst's most colourful comic creation is Johnny Spitieri, Johnny Spit, who gives David Wenham the chance to completely submerge himself in an instantly recognisable but unique character.

Johnny's performance in front of the Criminal Investigation Commission is a showstopper.

It's generally been a great year for movies but the misfortunes of the Australian film industry have been widely canvassed in the media. Some well-made, entertaining local films have failed in spectacular fashion and there's been plenty of advice from the sidelines, a great deal of wisdom paraded after the event. But there's an old saying in Hollywood that no one knows anything. Japanese Story has gone against the recent trend by attracting solid audiences but Gettin' Square is struggling. I don't think it's the fault of the film — it has more to do with the public mood. But you'll need to be quick to see it on the big screen where it belongs.