THE CRAIC
Australia, 1999, 100 minutes, Colour.
Jimeoin, Alan Mc Kee, Colin Hay, Bob Franklin, Robert Morgan.
Directed by Ted Emery.
The Craic is a star vehicle for Irish comedian Jimeoin. He was successful on television and this film was written and designed for him. He was the scriptwriter. Director is Ted Emery, best known for television comedy like The D- Generation, Fast Forward, Full Frontal.
The film is a variation on the Crocodile Dundee theme. This time, two Irishmen get into trouble in Belfast, escape to Australia with the IRA hitmen after them, with the Department of Immigration after them on their arrival, the SAS after them because they have been mistaken for terrorists. The film shows them having a series of road adventures in Australia till a comic confrontation at the end. There are quite a few laughs in the film - but the enjoyment of the film will probably depend on audience response to Jimeoin himself.
1. Jimeoin as a comedian, the television tradition, his writing the screenplay for himself in this film?
2. The work of Ted Emery, his skills with television comedy? For a full-length feature filmed for theatrical release?
3. Belfast, the Irish settings, authentic? The contrast with Australia, the range of the two men's journey through the countryside? The musical score, evocation of Ireland, of Australia?
4. Ireland, Belfast, the Troubles, guns? Colin? The pub, the tomato sauce, the Troubles and their being framed as terrorists, the bully, his informing on them? Their decision to run away to Australia?
5. Fergus and Wesley, the screen personas of the two comedians, characters, interactions? Their going to the Colonies, cleaning windows, the ball? The immigration issues and their eluding the officials?
6. The interviews, the sessions, the airport? The Gold Coast and the film? The girl and the director? The police?
7. Fergus and Wesley and their getting on the bus, befriending the various people, the girls? Work, everything going well, the stories, not dating them?
8. Bud Tingwell, the wife and the scones? The crows and the toads?
9. The bus, the driver, the kangaroo, the explosion?
10. Colin, his hair, the pursuit, the confrontation? The immigration officials? The SAS? The IRA hitman?
11. The police and the nabbing of Colin? The violence, the confrontation, the comedy?
12. The blend of Irish and Australian humour?
