The Castle

Rob Sitch, Australia, 1997, 82 minutes

This is a film that sneaks up on you. It'’s simplistic to the point of childish, has no big stars and no budget to speak of and, sorry, watching it won’t change your life. However, I defy anyone to watch this film, and not have a ridiculous grin plastered all over his or her face at the end.

Rob Sitch, director of The Dish, brings you the story of the Kerrigan family, who want for nothing in their Melbourne suburban lives (expect perhaps for the eldest son to get out of jail). Mum Sal is a fabulous cook and craftswoman, daughter Tracy has just got married, and son Steve debates with Kerrigan patriarch Darryl over second-hand goods in the local rag. A blissful life, all together in their perfect home - admittedly, a home built on contaminated land, surrounded by high-power lines, and with an airport runway at the end of the garden!

However, the planned expansion of the airport threatens this domestic bliss, when a compulsory purchase order is placed on the Kerrigans, and their neighbours’ properties; but Darryl decides to fight the airport in the courts. Ensnaring friend and small-time lawyer, Dennis Denuto in his battle, Darryl pursues his case all the way to the Australian Supreme Court, determine to save his “Castle The Castle was made in a mere 11 days, (the length of time they could afford to feed the cast and crew) and on the tiniest budgets. It’s rough, and it shows, but it’s also heart-warming, funny and uplifting. Utterly recommended to give your life some antipodean sunshine.

Review by Claire Devlin
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2006