SUCKER

Australia, 2015, 87 minutes, Colour.
John Luc, Lily Sullivan, Timothy Spall, Jacek Koman, Shawn Micallef, Kat Stewart.
Directed by Ben Chessell.

Sucker is a small-budget Australian comedy, written by Lawrence Leung, based on a one-man comedy routine that he created in 2001. Leung himself appears as the uncle of the hero and in framing sequences as the older version of the hero.

This is the story of a young Chinese-Australian? from Melbourne who does not want to do what his ambitious parents want, is fascinated by con-tricks and follows the Professor, a master of all kinds of cons, who takes him on as something of an apprentice. The Professor is played by British actor, Timothy Spall, enjoying himself with a touch of overacting. The young man is played by John Luc.

Also in the act is the Professor’s daughter, Lily Sullivan, and, later, the Professor’s nemesis, Riley, played by Jacek Koman who went off with the Professor’s wife, Kat Stewart.

The action takes place over the Australian countryside, in country towns, with people susceptible to con tricks, several of which are illustrated, one in a store which sells LPs where the manager is played, humorously, by Shawn Micaleff.

The film builds up to a dramatic climax, familiar from those stories about gamblers, and a bittersweet ending with the young man, the professor, his daughter and going back home to his family.

More of a pleasant time passer though interesting in having Chinese Australians at the centre of the film.

1. A comedy about con-men? And serious undertones?


2. The Melbourne settings, suburbs, roads, casino? The Australian countryside and country towns? Open spaces? The atmosphere of the country? The musical score?

3. The title, people taken in by the cons? The cons themselves, their victims?

4. The film based on a one-man show, the creator taking the part of Lawrence’s uncle – and the older bearded Lawrence framing the film?

5. An emphasis on Chinese- Australians? Not much seen in Australian comedies like this?

6. The introduction to Lawrence, the older Lawrence explaining, his voice over about his experiences, the explanation of the cons, the illustration of the popular three card con? Lawrence, 17, at home, the pressure from his parents to do well, his reactions, his capacity for telling lies? His going on the road?

7. His encounter with the Professor, the personality of the Professor, age, experience, from England? The background story of his relationship, his wife, her pregnancy, the
birth of her daughter, the photos of the family? Her leaving with the Professor’s best friend, Riley? The Professor and his career, his explanations of the variety of cons, their names, the steps, the information coming on screen? His invitation to Lawrence? Illustrating the cons? His asking Lawrence to participate, the young girl and the wallet – and the revelation that she was the Professor’s daughter?
8. The daughter, her age, her treatment of Lawrence, friend, not? Difficulties in believing her? On the road, the variety of tricks? Illustration of the Badger, her going to the room with the client, the father coming in, the client paying big money? The irony of Lawrence seeing her with the young man in the alley – but a genuine friendship and his punching Lawrence?

9. The variety of cons, that of the necklace, the greedy people in the pubs, paying for the necklace, losing their money? Lawrence and his trick with the LP, the manager of the shop, his buying the extra LPs, the alternate person behind the counter, Lawrence and his pretending to be Japanese, rescuing his girlfriend, the failure of the con?

10. The buildup to the competition, the background story of Riley and the Professor’s wife, visualised?

11. At the casino, the professor proving that Lawrence wanted to be there and did not go home, Lawrence’s encounter with Riley, Riley knowing all the tricks?

12. The special game, $10,000, the man being eliminated, the competitor and his complaint about cheating, Lawrence beating Riley, the money?

13. The double ending and the con, the outlining of the steps? The daughter, with Lawrence in the car, the letter, his going into the Professor, the Professor saying the letter was for him, reading it, the girl going off? Lawrence giving the Professor Chinese Lucky money? The alternative scenario, the Professor reading the letter to Lawrence, Lawrence keeping the money, the Professor all right for money? His daughter standing on her own feet? Lawrence acknowledging that the girl was Riley’s daughter not the Professors?

14. Lawrence, going back home,? And the older Lawrence looking back on the experience?

15. The two actors seen in the studio, on the set, talking with each other, walking off?