Movies That Deserved Better: 'Not Suitable for Children'

         On July 12, 2012, 'Not Suitable for Children' was released by Icon Film Distribution to predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, the film never quite received the audience that it deserved. It's time to change that. In the film, "A womanizer (Ryan Kwanten) learns he has one month before he becomes sterile, so he tries to impregnate a woman before it's too late." But what did the critics say?

       Amber Wilkinson of Eye for Film says, "The words cancer and comedy used to hang out in very different movie circles. If cancer was present, comedy rarely put a foot over the threshold, let alone made a joke at its expense. Recently there has been something of a sea change, with 50/50 bringing the two together in a buddy film format and now, this Aussie flick insists that just because you have cancer it doesn't mean you're a responsible adult. Ryan Kwanten stars as Jonah, a 30something scraggy bearded hipster with a no-ties approach to relationships, with the exception of his housemates and best pals Gus (Ryan Corr) and Stevie (Sarah Snook). His mindset is about to change, though, not as a result of careful consideration of the holding pattern of parties and playgirls that his life has become but because a one-night stand has just noticed a lump on one of his testicles. A trip to the doc's later and Jonah discovers his life is about to change tack. The lump is cancerous and it's time to go under the knife - the only hitch being that when he has finished his treatment he'll be infertile. With the clock ticking faster than he ever thought possible, Jonah decides to take the plunge - with anyone, possibly everyone - in order to have a child." Adding, "The premise sounds like a playpen for vulgarity but Michael Lucas's script is smarter than that. While there is an obvious smut level involved in the loss of a testicle, the joke choices are much less crass than you might imagine. And the subject matter is as much concerned - rightly or wrongly - with modern day fears of commitment and insecurity as with illness. Lucas also ensures his characters are grounded in a believable reality and, winningly for audience members sick of second fiddle females in Judd Apatow cast offs, gives Sarah Snook's character a story trajectory that is as substantial as that of Kwanten's. Snook grasps the opportunity with both hands to the extent of almost stealing the film out from under Kwanten, amiable though he is."

Photo Courtesy of Jerod Harris via Getty Images on Wireimage.com 

        Tim Martain of The Mercury notes, "Breaking down some stereotypes and making you think about a common issue in an uncommon way, this is a smart little flick, with some top acting and fine humour to boot."

       Matthew Pejkovic of Matt's Movie Reviews was less impressed, stating, "With its unlikeable characters and comedy that is awkward at best, Not Suitable for Children does little for the modern secular family cause. This is a film that wears its modern-world-values-big-boy-pants proudly. With its young filmmakers and hip cast, Not Suitable for Children refuses to have its characters play slave to the traditional rules of boy meets girl, boy marries girl, boy and girl have a baby. This is 2012 and such thinking is no longer a part of the 20 something crowd. Well, at least according to this move it isn’t." Continuing, "It’s when Not Suitable… focuses on the central relationship between Jonah and Stevie that it finds its heart. Kwanten and Snook’s different energies work well together, and Snook is an especially warm presence amongst the darkly photographed inner west Sydney backdrop and perfectly counters the mugging theatrics of Ryan Corr who takes on the role of clown best friend, yet annoys instead of bringing the laughs. Snook can only bring so much to the table. This is a Ryan Kwanten vehicle and his Jonah is, simply put, an unlikeable prat: irresponsible, lazy, a symbol of the 20 something slacker at its most obnoxious. Not suitable for children? At the least."

    Personally, I found the film to be a unique gem that might not be for everyone. Honestly, if your movie taste is more traditional, it might not be for you.

'Catching Dust' Reviews: "A small film in stature, but one that has a larger personality and brims with a confidence and carnage that threatens to overstep the narrative’s constraints"

         On August 23, 2024, Verical released 'Catching Dust', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, a woman "finally decides to leave her criminal husband Clyde and their isolated Texas hideout, but a couple from New York suddenly arrives. Ignoring the risks, she convinces Clyde to let them stay, a decision with dangerous consequences." The ensemble cast includes Jai Courtney, Erin Moriarty, Ryan Corr, and Dina Shihabi. Read the full review round-up below.

       Peter Gray of The AU Review says, "A small film in stature, but one that has a larger personality and brims with a confidence and carnage that threatens to overstep the narrative’s constraints, Catching Dust is tragic and hopeless, but consistently potent, made all the more so by an arresting Courtney who continues to prove his worth as a genuine character actor unafraid to play to his masculinity, but doing so without an inch of egoism or vanity."

        Stephanie Archer of Film Inquiry notes, "Catching Dust does risk losing the audience in the drawn-out moments between emotional interactions. Yet, as an audience, you will find yourself shocked by how invested you are in by film’s end." Continuing, "Erin Moriarty gives the widest range in a slow burn progression of character growth. There is a desperation that borders on control constantly flickering in the challenges and conflicts Geena faces. Yet, there is also a sense of fear, leaving audiences to feel ambiguous about Geena as she navigates both her relationship with Clyde, as well as Andy and Amaya. She is complicated and far from easily defined, and Moriarty handles each aspect of Geena with ease."

       Matt Hudson of What I Watched Tonight was less impressed, stating, "Whilst not a bad film, Catching Dust is a frustrating one. There was potential here to tell an arresting story, but sadly, we got an OK one instead." Adding, "Despite the talent on display, Catching Dust is a mainly middling affair. It is thoughtfully paced given its shorter runtime, Gatt never really moving the story out of second gear, however, with the lack of any real urgency or tension, the film never really gets going. Seeing Clyde assert himself so despicably over Geena, and to a degree, Amaya and Andy, is a disturbing aspect of the film though I never felt as if I really got to know the characters well enough to connect with them. Moriarty’s Geena uses art to escape her reality and tries to build bridges with the new visitors, but even she isn’t entirely squeaky clean throughout which raises some interesting questions. In her performance, Moriarty is game for the task, but as with the rest of the cast, she isn’t given a whole lot to work with. Greater focus on one of the four characters, probably Geena, would have strengthened Catching Dust overall in my eyes. Technically, the film is well constructed and presented. It looks sharp and the sprawling wilderness is captured to portray a grimy, solemn feel, which it does well. The juxtaposition also between the two couples is visualised effectively as well, I just wish they had gone further into that aspect narratively."

       Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com praises the film, "Catching Dust” should be a character study of two very different couples and how they influence one another, but it never quite takes these people seriously enough to work on that level."

Photo by Wyron A on Unsplash