Kenny - A warming indie comedy (Kenny (DVD))

Member Name: OllieCourts

Product:	Kenny (DVD)
Date:	11/07/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, convincing, charming, I loved it!

Disadvantages: Doesn't get the credit the blockbusters get unfortunately

Kenny easily goes down as one of the best 'feel-good' films I've ever seen! When I read the synopsis it doesn't strike you as being a good film. An Aussie comedy (I know...) about a guy who delivers and runs portaloo's, shot like a documentary by director Clayton Jacobson. Not exactly eye-catching, but when you see it won 6 awards and was nominated for 10 more, you begin to wonder what they hype is about.

Shane Jacobson plays Kenny Smyth, a Melbourne blue collar worker who himself declares he doesn't have the most lucrative job in the world, but is good at what he does. He runs 'Splashdown', and the cameraman follows his daily jobs before a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Nashville for a Portaloo convention! The film doesn't show you the ins and outs of toilet duty though, it's a witty, philosophical film about how Kenny despite the setbacks in his life, is a genuinely good man. A son from an abusive ex-wife, a dad who disapproves of what he does, and facing the cruel nature of society, Kenny always remains optimistic and continues what he's doing with a smile and unflinching charm.

We see Kenny be abused by women who argue that his son shouldn't be brought to work with him, only to see them urinating on the street later in the film, showing the hypocrisy of the public. We see him leave Nashville to tend for his ill father, who has never show pride in Kenny for doing the job he does or raising his son. We see Kenny, despite suffering at the hands of his ex-wife, remain courteous and down right lovely when courting Jackie, the flight attendant he meets. These are all just a few of the examples in the film which make you feel grateful about the common decency in the world, and for lack of better words, just make you feel good!

It is shot like a documentary, which remains so convincing throughout that you do begin to believe it. Everything is so realistic that you believe Kenny is a real person doing a real job, I certainly didn't remember they were actors! It runs for approx. 100 minutes, which gives more than enough time to fall in love with Kenny. He'll make you laugh. He'll make you cry. He'll make you want to shake the hand of every toilet attendant you ever meet. He'll make you feel good about yourself, and more importantly, he'll remind you there are good, genuine people in the world!

Sounds stupid for me to say such things about a 'crap' film (literally that is), but it's all true. I loved it, I think most people would.

Summary: A huge success!