Take Away
Review by Clint Morris
 The
search for the grand Fish N' Chip shop is an Australian ritual.
There ain't nothing like a searing hot minimum chips, nothing
as splendid as an oil-bathed dim-sim, nor nothing as flavorsome
as a piece of thick, fluffy Flake.
But one thing's for sure, no matter how substandard the Fish,
no matter how wintry the Chips, or how mature the onion ring,
Fish N' Chips is always a much grander option than the alternative:
The nasty, fat-smothered commercial conglomerate.
You know the one - the burgers come off a factory conveyer
belt, the nuggets' made of ingredients you'd only find in
a horse's trough, and soft drink with plenty of ice, and no
drink.
Obviously, writers Mark O'Toole and Dave O'Neil share the
sentiment having written the new Australian comedy Take
Away.
Tony [Vince Colosimo] and Trev [Stephen Curry] own rival
fish 'n' chip shops in suburban Melbourne. They're always
trying to one-up one another (Trev seems to think the 'Dim
Stick on a Stick' will inevitably make his store more popular)
and always intrusive to what the others got going.
It's business as usual, until a multinational 'Burgies' fast
food outlet (think two of the most well-known fast-foods restaurants
shared) decides its opening a store right next door to the
small businesses.
With the help of the community, and Tony and Trev's own respective
employees, Dave [Nathan Phillips] and Sonja [Rose Byrne],
the little-guys decide to fight back. But ultimately, they
realise getting rid of Burgies is tougher than eating through
to the hub of a chicken nugget...
O'Toole, O'Neil and director Mark Gracie [The Craic]
have taken a plotline that could be summed up in less than
a sentence, and elongated it to the form of an indisputably
enjoyable, very Australian, feature length flick.
The jokes thin out towards the end, but for the most part
(and largely due to the great cast) proceedings are kept amusing
and vivacious - at the same time, proving the scribes have
a great understanding of our culture, and predominantly, the
Australian sense of humour.
As the dapper perfectionist, Tony, played Vince Colosimo,
is more in his element than anyone. He looks the part, acts
the part, and is the part. In addition, Colosimo proves such
a good sport when ribbing his own nationality and acuity.
In addition, Stephen Curry gives a generously amusing performance
as the slobbish Trev, Rose Byrne, absolutely lovely as Sonja,
Nathan Phillips [of Australian Rules] well-cast in
the part of dole-bludger-come-fast-food-worker, Dave, and
Matt Dyktynski [of TV's "Shock Jock"] deliciously
funny as the devilish 'Burgies' manager.
All in all, Take Away isn't a film that'll leave a
lasting impression, but as it stands it is well-formed
comedy, with plenty of laughs, plenty of spirit and a Castle-like
climax that'll have you cheering in the aisles - and put you
off fries and soggy burgers indefinitely.
Minimum chips, maximum laughs, if you will.
3 out of 5
Take Away
Australian release: Thursday August 14th
Cast: Vince Colosimo, Stephen Curry, Rose Byrne, Nathan
Phillips, Brett Swain, Matt Dyktynksi, John Howard, Dave O'Neil.
Director: Marc Gracie.
Website: N/A
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