STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

Australia, 2003, 103 minutes, Colour.
Paul Hogan, Michael Caton, Roy Billing, Stewart Faichney, Alan Cassell, Paula Duncan, Monica Maughan.
Directed by Dean Murphy.

Paul Hogan has found it difficult to sustain his screen reputation since the first two Crocodile Dundee films. He has tried Flipper. He has tried another Crocodile Dundee. This one might restore some faith in his screen power, limited as it is to his ironic Ocker presence and humorous style.

But, this time, he also has a message. He is lending his talent and reputation to a comic plea against homophobia and a respect for people in same-sex partnerships. Hence the title - which, in fact, was the title of a Rock Hudson comedy of the 1960s (but with Gina Lollobrigida).

At first the film has every homophobic name and joke you can think of plus some very broad camp and mincing humour. Of course, this indicates that Vince (Hogan) and his mate of many years, Ralph (Michael Caton) have absorbed a homophobic culture as have the townspeople of Yackendandah where the film is set. When Vince realizes that he can get government tax relief, he proposes that they declare themselves a couple and - understatement of the film - nobody will know. Ralph and Vince do some research in learning how to mince, but do some real homework with a visit to Darlinghurst, the clothes shops and the clubs, where they make some friends they never ever dreamed they would meet.

The humour comes in people finding out, especially the tax inspector (Pete Postlethwaite down under) and Ralph's daughter (who has something to tell her father who does not know her friend's name is Peta).

It all ends well, of course, with Michael Caton delivering the message for tolerance in a moving speech with reticent feeling and Hoges keeping up the jokes.

1. The popularity of Paul Hogan, his screen presence, comic style? The nature of Australian comedy?

2. The gay themes, homophobia in Australia, ignorance, tolerance, understanding, respect? A message film via mockery, comedy, camp humour, parody and satire? Final preaching?

3. The title, its suggestions, the range of gay and camp jokes throughout the film, Paul Hogan and Michael Caton dramatising them, the ocker cast and the frowns and wariness?

4. Yackandandah, the opening, Ralph on the bike, the road, the small population, the look of the town, the mail van racing through, the mechanic's shop, the cinema - showing The Last of the Knucklemen and the strong macho image?

5. Michael Caton as Ralph, his work, mechanic, his friendship with Vince, love for Carla, the death of his wife, Vince and his divorce, place in the town, financial problems, seeing him at the cinema, where he lived? Michael Caton and Paul Hogan and their working well together?

6. The legal papers, the newspapers and the tax idea, Vince going to Ralph, all the means he took to persuade Ralph to say yes, the discussions, Ralph's reaction? The reaction to the idea of same-sex partnerships, the emotional, physical aspects? The jokes during their discussion, with the fire hose etc? Signing the documents, the discussions about who was spouse or not? Ralph and his looking at the photos of his family - persuaded to say yes out of friendship for Vince?

7. Life in the town, the meetings for preparing the ball? The firemen and the chief, Faith and her control, talking, Father Xavier and his blessing? Ralph and Vince at work, the gradual hints, Faith and her overhearing, the gossip, Yvonne and her seeing the damp letter, spreading the news? The women at the bowling club_ everyone?

8. Their going to Eric, his reputation as the hairdresser, following him, photographing him, discovering his liaisons with all the women? His confession, wanting the photos, their blackmailing him to teach them gay mannerisms? The lessons and the awkwardness?

9. The decision to go to Sydney, wandering Darlinghurst, the clothes, going to the club, Vince and his dancing with the drag queen, the aftermath, their discussions with the various members of the club? Their getting to understand them? The group coming to Yackandandah, Ralph having fixed the motorbike, their being introduced as friends?

10. Russell's arrival, the documents, the interview, the farcical aspects of comedy as they went through the interview, their pretences? Going to the ball, Vince's declaration to Yvonne and Russell overhearing?

11. Carla, her love for her father, her relationship with Peta? Coming home, the shock of the house, upset with her father, listening to his speech, the reconciliation and his dancing with both of them?

12. The men in the town, ringing Sydney and puzzling, their discussions about the trip being just for business? Listening to the speech, the aftermath?

13. The dance, the visitors, the jokes, ladies' choice?

14. Ralph, the pressure on him about the pretence, his going on stage, making the speech, Vince joining him, the truth about mateship and love - Carla's response, the men's response, the applause of the town?

15. The preaching tone of the final speech, the plea for tolerance and respect, Michael Caton being able to carry it off dramatically? Russell's comment on the speech and how it moved him? The audience moved in a similar way - or not?