THE COCA COLA KID

Australia, 1985, 98 minutes, Colour.
Eric Roberts, Greta Scacchi, Chris Haywood, Bill Kerr, Kris Mc Quade, Paul Chubb, Max Gillies, Tony Barry, Rebecca Smart.
Directed by Dusan Makavejev.

The Coca Cola Kid is based on Frank Moorehouse's short stories. He wrote the screenplay in collaboration with Yugoslav director Dusan Makavejev. (Makavejav is noted for his films Tragedy of a Switchboard Operator, W.R. Mysteries of the Organism, Sweet Movie, Montenegro.)

The film is a satire on the influence of America and Americanism via the Coca Cola Company (with disclaimers of any connection between the film and the company at the opening). The film also focuses on Australia as a place to challenge the American imperialism even to offer disillusionment but finally sanctuary.

Eric Roberts (King of the Gypsies, Raggedy Man, Star 80, The Pope of Greenwich Village) gives an excellent performance as the confident young trouble-shooter who comes to Australia. Greta Scacchi (Heat and Dust) has an odd role, almost impossible as the kooky secretary. The supporting cast is very good indeed, led by Bill Kerr, Max Gillies, Paul Chubb.

The film begins very well but, as it moves through its realism and fantasy, becomes somewhat confused and the happy ending is almost too lyrical for the satirical start. Technical credits are excellent, including music by William Motzing and songs by Tim Finn (of Split Enz).

1. Entertainment? Offbeat? Points to be made?

2. Frank Moorehouse as writer, observer of human nature, of the Australian situation, views on America, satire and humour? The perspective of the director, sardonic observation, realism and surrealism? A northern hemisphere visitor to Australia? The film in the work of Dusan Makavejev, a movement towards narrative rather than didactic and the use of effects distancing the film from the audience?

3. The quality of Sydney locations: offices, flats? The Blue Mountains and their beauty, remoteness? Country towns? The landscape of Sydney and the mountains as environment for this kind of story?

4. The musical score and its moods, the search for the Australian sound, the didgeridoo, rock music, the advertising song for Coca Cola (with the Australian touch)? 'Waltzing Matilda'? The contribution of Tim Finn as composer and character?

5. The impact of the film for Australians, the Australian point of view? Contrasting with the American point of view? The story and treatment of universal interests? Coca Cola symbolising the United States?

6. Merchandising, money? American know-how and techniques? Trouble-shooters around the world? Presumptions of American supremacy, superiority? The colonial attitude towards Australia? Interactions and consequences? As a symbol for American-Australian? relationships in general?

7. Becker as the Coca Cola Kid? The quality of Eric Roberts' performance, appearance, personality, personifying American attitudes, his manner and manners, from Atlanta, Georgia, the style, the courtesy of the South, his earning his living before the telex? The telex and the description of him as efficient trouble-shooter? His confronting the Australian businessman? His zeal for efficiency and his camping on the ledge in the mountains? the policeman on the camel? Their verbal clash? The encounter with Terry and office? The arrival and their clash? ideology? Separated from Terry? Their daughter and Becker's immediate rapport with her? Telling her the name of the Coca Cola Kid? The irony of the sequences in the hotel, telephone calls, the ring from his mother? The suspicious waiter and the link with the CIA and Australian terrorists? The visit of George to the office, his bold wanting to exchange marketing territories? Terry hiding in the freezer? aborigine in the street, the playing of the didgeridoo, his wanting the Australian sound? and the aborigine asking him to contact his agent? The music session, the recording of the Australian song about Coca Cola? Terry's revenge? his crying with the little girl? the clash with T George, Terry and the sexual encounter, dressing up the producer, Becker's embarrassment?

8. His opting out of Coca Cola, final talk with the Australian? Leaving, the irony of the from the would-be CIA agent? Going to Terry's flat, meeting the daughter? Portrait of a confident American with style and know-how, the ex-Marine, the martial arts expert, the man of religious values (his comment on the Bible, and the affirmation of the Jesuits that Coca Cola was just before them in spreading in spreading values around the world)? His action, changing?

9. The portrait of the Australian officials: the late arrival of the telex, the office, the slow manner, their reaction to Americans, knowing all about T. George, maintaining their position at the end? Satire on Australian types? The contrast with the inefficient secretaries, and the ocker projectionist with the offhand mateship? T. George and his reputation, his many decades in the soft drink business, the advertisement and story about his wife, her suicide? His shooting at Becker while fishing? Smooth talk, pride? The tour of the plant? His workers? His picture and his appearing? The clash with Becker, the visit to the Sydney office and the bold suggestion about exchanging territories? The visit of the Santa Clauses and the trucks? The clash, refusing the deal, the speech at the Rotary Club, the arson claim, with Terry and his reaction? The explosion? protest against America? the encounter?

10. Terry and her inefficiency, the wet telex, awkwardness, her being present at the meetings, the fight with Kim, love for her daughter, hiding in the freezer, getting the sack, revenge at the party, humiliating Becker, her attraction towards him? The dressing up as the Santa Claus, the sexual encounter? Re-meeting her father? A credible kooky character? That Becker would remain with her and her daughter?

11. The sketch of the daughter, sensible young girl, the Coca Cola Kid, understanding of her mother and father, welcoming Becker at the end?

12. The satire on the sinister waiter, his presuppositions about the CIA? Raising the money, his being arrested?

13. The policeman in the mountains riding the camel, the clash with Becker? The sketch of the workers? The aborigine with his didgeridoo in the city streets, the money in the hat, the card with his agent, his performing with the group? The musicians? The people at the party? The producer dressing up as Marjorie? The matey projectionist?

14. The symbol of the mouse in the hotel room, Becker's response to it, his giving it to the little girl, its running around the house? Meaning? The policeman on the camel and the focus on the camel?

15. Americans and Australians? Capitalism, conservatism? Free enterprise? America as a new world and Australia as a newer world?