SPANK! (M). (Palace) Director: Ernie Clark Stars: Vince Poletto, Robert Mammone, Mario Gamma, Checc Musolini, Victoria Dixon-White, Lucia Mastrantone, Nic Hurcombe, Irene Tunis, Marco P Venturini Running time: 89 minutes.
Set against the colourful background of the cappuccino culture of Adelaide's fashionable Rundle Street, the low budget comedy Spank! is both an embarrassment and a disappointment. The main problem lies with the underdeveloped script from first time writer David Farrell, and the lack of control over the material displayed by first time director Ernie Clark, making an inauspicious debut. Nick (Mario Gamma) and his friend Vinny (Checc Musolino) decide that they want to go into business together and open their own cafe. They enter into a partnership with wannabe local wheeler and dealer Rocky Pisoni (Vince Poletto, recently seen in Jackie Chan's Mr Nice Guy), who agrees to bankroll the enterprise. Rocky has power of attorney over his ailing father's business. Although he dresses sharply he has few clues about successfully running a business. He uses bully boy tactics to oversee his father's vast investments, but he is largely ineffectual.
The dubious deal quickly comes unstuck as the characters' egos and personalities take over. Nick is lazy and obnoxious, and thinks he's a real charmer with the ladies. Vinny lacks money, and turns to his girl friend Tina (Lucia Mastrantone) for financial help. She initially advises him against becoming involved in any dealing with Nick and Rocky. Before long there is competition between the various players to open their own establishments.
Intended as a satire with something constructive to say about the rich diversity of ethnic culture and experiences in contemporary Australia, Spank! misfires badly. Clark has completely misjudged the tone and mood of the material, and this comedy actually has very little genuine humour. Wogs Out Of Work and Head On explored similar issues and characters in far more emphatic and compelling fashion.
Clark, a former cinematographer, makes good use of locations to provide the film with atmosphere and character. But his lack of experience shows in the quality of performances he draws from his cast. The performances are pitched at a hysterically overwrought level in which stereotypes are reduced to the level of caricature. Any nuances are bludgeoned into submission.
Poletto gives a completely unbelievable and outrageous performance as Rocky, and his grating and unbearable character wears out his welcome even before the film is half over. Gamma captures Nick's overbearing personality beautifully with an energetic but unsubtle performance. Robert Mammone (Heaven's Burning, etc) plays Paulie, the film's conscience, although his thoughtful and restrained performance almost seems to belong in another film.
Jo (Victoria Dixon-Whittle) is a thankless cliché, a woman who dumps her narcissistic but wealthy lover, who treats her with contempt, for another man who treats her with respect. Only theatre veteran Mastrantone gives a more positive portrayal of a strong, modern woman with her performance as the independent, assertive and confident Tina.
For a first feature Spank! lacks spark, polish and spunk. It is a huge disappointment, especially when compared to the recent achievements of Gregor Jordan with his superb debut Two Hands. Even the local distributors seem to have recognised its overall lack of quality and audience appeal, and have decided to release Spank! straight to video in Melbourne and Sydney.
* greg king http://www.netau.com.au/gregking
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