PAPERBACK HERO
Australia, 1998, 96 minutes, Colour.
Hugh Jackman, Claudia Karvan, Angie Milliken, Andrew S. Gilbert, Jeanie Drynan, Bruce Venables.
Directed by Antony J. Bowman.
Paperback Hero is a light romantic comedy, with the Australian screwball touch. Hugh Jackman portrays a truck driver in outback Queensland, who secretly writes Mills and Boon-style romantic novels. He has sent the manuscript in under the name of a friend, played by Claudia Karvan, who owns the local hotel and is a crop-duster. Andrew S. Gilbert is her fiance. Jeanie Drynan (the wife of writer-director Antony J. Bowman) portrays the put-upon wife of the owner of the café in town.
Complications arise when the agent arrives in the town wanting the crop-duster to go to Sydney for a novel promotion. The lorry driver persuades her to do so - the fiance eventually finds out, the agent realises what has happened, the crop-duster returns with her fiance, the lorry driver admits the truth - and then, of course, the leading couple fall in love.
Antony J. Bowman wrote and directed the light comedies Relatives and Cappuccino. Claudia Karvan had been a star since she was a child actress in such films as Molly. Hugh Jackman had been a singer on stage in Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard, made several films, including Erskineville Kings, then went to London where he played Curly in Oklahoma (with a television version filmed). Next stop was Hollywood with such films as Swordfish, Animal Attraction and the X- Men films.
1. Entertaining and rollicking romantic comedy, American style screwball comedy transferred to the Australian outback?
2. The title, Jack and his writing, checking things out with his dog? Sending the manuscript in Ruby's name? The agent coming to see him, the interviews, the deception, the events in Sydney? The revelation of the truth on national and international television?
3. The south-west Queensland settings? The open road, the paddocks and crops, the town, the pubs and the café? The authentic feel? Musical score?
4. Jack, his charm, character, work, roughhouse life, with his dog? Keeping the novel-writing secret? Persuading Ruby to continue with the deception? Taking her to society, the clashes with Ziggy (after his crashing the truck into her car)? His being around, pretending to be the agent, discussions with Ruby, her fears, overcoming them? Ziggy knowing the truth, the deal? Ruby's going back and not doing the television show, his staying, going on television, telling the truth? His return, the brief affair with Ziggy? Chasing Ruby, the reconciliation on the open road? A likeable hero?
5. The issues of men writing women's stories, insights? The quotes given throughout the film - excessive Mills and Boon style? The public, the advance, the royalties, the radio interviews, the television? The comment on public taste?
6. Ruby, tough, crop-dusting, spreading it on Jack and his truck? With the boys, playing pool, engagement to Hamish, putting off the wedding? The clashes with Jack? Ziggy's arrival, suspicions? Jack's plea, her thinking it over, agreeing? The travelling to Sydney, reading the manuscript, identifying the characters, weeping? Camping out? The change of clothes, her trying to answer the questions, the new dress, intimidated in the room, going to the reception? The phone calls to Hamish? The promise of the organised wedding? Her not wanting to go on television, going across the street to Hamish, returning home? The plane crash? Hamish selling it off, her being in plaster, packing, going with Hamish - and the farewell, each going their own way? With the crop-duster, meeting Jack, a future?
7. Hamish, the vet, nice, out of place in the outback town, the drinking and carousing for his stag party? Attraction towards Ruby? Worried about her going south, coming to Sydney, the ultimatum, waiting in the café? Her going back with him, packing? His realising the truth, able to let her go, passing Jack on the road and wishing him well?
8. Susie, her brutal husband? Her friendship with everyone, wanting the café, Ruby giving it to her? Her transformation? Her husband, rough, brutal, jovial? Her having him under control? His being proud of her?
9. The characters in the town, Mad Pete and the drinking, driving Ziggy? The owner of the planes, the customer wanting a plane, authentic touch, the drinkers?
10. Ziggy, bleached blonde, Sydney glamour, out of place in the outback, the car, her superior manner, crash, her demands, the Aboriginal policeman? Her ignoring Jack, the discussions with Ruby, the plans? Her job as an agent? Meeting them in Sydney, the parties, the television show, her realising the truth? The relationship with Jack? His writing further novels - and engaging her as agent?
11. The sense of humour, the light touch, the Australian broad style?
