You Can’t Stop the Murders
Review by Clint Morris
 “I’ve
been to some beautiful places in my life but none more beautiful
than West Village.
“I put this dossier together and this close to catching
the killer and I promise when I do I’ll make him pay
for tainting this Garden of Eden.”
Detective Tony Charles (Anthony Mir) is so convinced he’s
going to find the man knocking off locals of the sleepy NSW
town, he doesn’t want any interference at all from bumbling
local law enforcers, Gary (Gary Eck), a line-dancing lovesick
copper with his heart in the right place but his foot permanently
stuck in the mouth, and Akmal (Akmal Saleh), a dimish bobby,
a batten short of a holster belt.
Seems the killer in question is following a remarkable pattern
– beheading an Indian, a cowboy, a construction worker,
and a sailor. While it’ll become blatantly obvious to
the audience early on that the killer is off on some kind
of a “Village People” revenge-trip, it’s going
to take suave pigheaded Detective Charles and local boys,
Gary and Akmal, over 90 minutes to fit even the first piece
of the puzzle.
A simple, nonsensical Australian comedy, You Can’t
Stop the Murders, originally took form as a two-minute
sketch comedy for television.
Feeling that their idea would be served better as a full
length feature comedy, Gary Eck, Anthony Mir and Akmal Saleh
made plans for a film, enticing Anastasia Sideris (Love
and Other Catastrophies) to help produce and run their
proposal past financers.
The result is a film combining elements of physical comedy,
outlandish jokes and a touch of obvious Australian humour.
The three (uknown) leads have some really inspired moments
in the film, bringing some nice elements to their humorous
characters, especially Eck who provides significantly more
dimension and warmth to his character, Gary.
In some respects, their film – and their performances
– is reminiscent of the recent American comedy Super
Troopers, conceived by and starring comedy troupe, Broken
Lizard.
But unlike the latter film, You can’t stop the Murders
doesn’t flow as well as it should, and it’s ultimately
way too long between good jokes.
You’ll laugh a couple of times, but hardly any more
than that. Some gags totally misfire, some almost evoke a
giggle – but mostly, they’re an uneasy bunch of
could-have-been-funny lines and sequences, that somehow
haven’t worked out as well as they could’ve.
One particular moment, where our unorthodox local cops accidentally
run over a missing dog, is met with barely a whimper.
Co-starring a mass of identifiable Australian actors –
including Richard Carter, Jimeon, Bob Franklin, Sandman, The
Umbilical Brothers, Haskel Daniels and Gary Who – You
Can’t Stop the Murders is a film plays a bit like
an old 45 left in a car on a hot day.
It’ll still play – and you’ll still get something
out of it – but for the most part, it’s pretty warped
and in need of a polish.
2.5 out of 5
You Can’t Stop the Murders
Australian release: Thursday March 13
Cast: Gary Eck, Akmal Saleh, Anthony Mir, Richard Carter,
Kirstie Hutton, Garry Who, Rob Carlton, Steve Rogers.
Director: Anthony Mir.
Website: N/A
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