Film No. 19. SPIT. (2025). 4th March.

 

Film No. 19  (2025) March 4th.  6:30 PM  EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 16,  Innaloo.

"Yeh, Biscuit they used to call me; like Ginger Nuts. Cause I had ginger nuts". (Spit talks to his nephew, Tyler, about a subject of no consequence to anyone).

NOMINEE: Most Anticipated Aust. Comedy (Jonathan Teplitsky) Australian Writers Guild (2025).

Is the most salient point of this reboot, the inference that Johnny Spitieri is not as dumb as he seems? Either that, or why are refugees so disrespected in Australian culture? Or perhaps the message is that family is everything for those with so little.

The David Wenham fuelled, SPIT, is so choc-full of themes that it lost me along the way. But, it would seem I was one of only a few who felt that way. Most of the audience at the well attended preview I attended, were buzzing about this fun fairy-tale about a much loved character, who first gained legs (or thongs) 22 years ago in GETTIN' SQUARE (GS). Put simply, Johhny of GS was a thong wearing, physical, clown who made for many LOL moments. He's been overseas, evading the law, and others, after his GS escapades. Now he's back and Wenham weaves his magic with a slightly more thoughtful Johnny. He's returned to Australia and in detention after being deported from the UK. And, would you believe it, throughout the movie he's helping refugees (fellow detainees) and making connections with long lost family. He's still a clown. There are laughs but I just couldn't get engrossed in Spit, despite Wenham's brilliance. 

It has taken 10 years for director Jonathan Teplitsky and Wenham to get SPIT made. Finance was the issue, and finally Queensland Film Fund and Film Australia produced the goods. Both believe the film will plough $8M back into the Qld economy.  I hope it does. Spit is fun, it has heart and a pleasant enough  twist. See it on a big screen.  7GUMS.