Film No. 15 (2015) March 11th. 6:30 PM VMAX Innaloo.
"Can you be normal tonight, is that possible? Don't tell her about your colonic, you know what, don't even talk about your arse, just leave your arse out of the conversation." (Manny talking in front of his mirror prior to meeting Maria on their first date).
Manny Lewis
Another Australian Stand Up makes a movie, it sounds like the opening line for a Carl Barron joke. This time however it's Barron who's making and starring in a film. And despite the light, forgettable content he makes a good fist of it.
Carl Barron is a very popular comic. His self mocking laid back style endears him to his public. I've never seen more than snippets of his work but after spending a night in the cinema with him I understand why he's so popular. In the same way that he jokes about himself and his life in a routine, in Manny Lewis he takes us on an autobiographical tour of a part of his life on the road and he has us genuinely engaged in his antics in exactly the same way he has built his stand up following. Manny Lewis is every bit as charismatic as Carl Barron.
Manny Lewis, the film, doesn't pretend to be anything other than a romantic comedy with a hard to believe sub plot (to do with a fantasy hotline) and an under developed father/son fractured relationship. This might add up to a disaster of a film but because there is some real on-screen chemistry between the two leads (Barron and Leeanna Walsman) the film is entertaining and we genuinely hope they'll work through their differences.
Manny refers to himself as a wingnut because of the size of his ears on his small head. It is all a part of Barron's charisma and his uncomplicated delivery style. While Manny Lewis will likely get mixed reviews there will be one constant. Carl Barron has screen presence and this could be a vehicle for him to sign a real deal; perhaps not to tour the U.S. but the offer of a role in another film or two. 7GUMS
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