Gettin' Square
2003 Directed by Jonathan Teplitzki
(By Alesha Stampalia)
FILM: Gettin' Square (2003)
GENRE: Crime Comedy
CLASSIFICATION: M15+
RUNNING TIME: 100mins
CAST
Sam Worthington Barry 'Wattsy' Wirth
Garry Sweet Chicka Martin
Timothy Spall Darren Barrington
David Field Arnie DeViers
David Wenham Johnny 'Spit' Spitieri
Freya Stafford Annie Flynn
Luke Pegler Joey Wirth
Helen Thompson Marion Barrington
David Roberts Niall Toole
Jonathan Biggins CIC Interrogator
Joe Bugner Big Mick
CREW
Director: Jonathan Teplitzki
Scriptwriter: Chris Nyst
Cinematographer: Garry Phillips
Executive Producers: Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Michael Gudinski
Kris Noble
Producers: Martin Fabinyi
Timothy White
Trish Lake
Editor: Ken Sallows
Production Design: Nicholas McCallum
Production Company: Squared Productions in association with Mushroom Pictures, Fresh Water Pictures, Maquarie Film Corporation and Working Title Australia
Casting: Gregory Apps
Art Director: Jenny O'Connell
Costume Design: Jackline Sassine
RELEASE DATES
Australian Cinema: October 9, 2003
Australian Video / DVD: April 7, 2004
Unfortunately I was unable to locate any release dates for this film overseas.
SOUNDTRACK
The Gettin' Square soundtrack showcases a variety of tunes from renowned Australian artists such as The Vines, Groove Armada, Nick Cave and MGF as well as international artists such as Faithless.
AWARDS
Nominated for AFI awards including:
Best Picture (Martin Fabinyi, Timothy White and Trish Lake)
Best Direction (Jonathan Teplitzky)
Best Actor (David Wenham)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Helen Thompson)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (David Field and Mitchell Butel
Best Production Design (Nicholas McCallum)
Best Cinematography (Garry Phillips)
Best Original Music Score (Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab & 3KShort)
Best Original Screenplay (Chris Nyst)
Best Editing (Ken Sallows)
Best Sound (John Schiefelbein, Antony Gray, Ian McLoughlin)
Best Costume Design (Jackline Sassine)
http://www.moviehole.net/news/2710.html
David Wenham took home the Best Actor Award for his convincing role as Johnny 'Spit' Spitieri.
BOX OFFICE FIGURES
According to the Australian Film Commission, Gettin' Square was the fifth top Australian Film of 2003, grossing $2,137,749 (Australian Film Commission website). In competition with Ned Kelly, Japanese Story, Fat Pizza and Bad Eggs.
For other figures go to: www.afc.gov.au
INTERVIEWS
Interviews with both Jonathan Teplitzki and Chris Nyst, interviewed by Margaret Pomeranz can be found on the SBS movie website:
http://www.sbs.com.au/movieshow/interviews.php3?id=189
An audio commentary with Jonathan Teplitzki and Chris Nyst can be found on the recently released DVD as well as separate interviews. In addition to this is interviews shot while filming with actors Timothy Spall and David Wenham.
REVIEWS
Triple J review with Megan Spencer:
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/film/s966687.htm
Peter Thompson from the Sunday program:
http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/film_reviews/article_1421.asp
Sydney Morning Herald journalist, Paul Byrnes:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/08/1065601907539.html
David Stratton journalist for The Australian:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0%2C5744%2C7543383%255E16955%2C00.html
The Internet Movie Database gives numerous reviews via message boards which any viewer can submit:
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0341376/
Margaret Pomeranz reviewed this film on the SBS. This site gives links to interviews with Jonathan Teplitzki and Chris Nyst:
http://www.sbs.com.au/movieshow/reviews.php3?id=1212
The Hollywood Reporter, reviewed by Erin Free:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2011368
ONLINE PRESENCE
There is a significant amount of information regarding this film on the Internet. Search engines such as google and yahoo provide extensive listings of film reviews both web based and print based. Information archives such as IMDb and the Australian Film Commission provide adequate plot outlines and lists of cast and crew. Links from these pages lead to cast and crew biographies which are very informative and give detailed background information.
Disappointingly there was not a website solely based on the film (that I could find!). I was very surprised with this as Gettin' Square was such a prominent Australian film in 2003. In an age where nearly everything is web based I found it potentially debilitating for the film's publicity as a lack of online presence implies a lack of marketing, hence less exposure.
In regards to the films international presence I was unable to find the release dates for the film in countries other than our own. I even tried to search several American film review websites but the only reviews that resulted were from Australian papers.
I did discover however that the film was featured at the 10th London Australian Film Festival in March of this year.
INFORMATION COLLECTION
I began my search for information on the Internet starting with the search engine 'yahoo' and 'google'. The majority of results shown were various reviews of the film, ranging from Australian newspapers and magazines to movie databases. I collected the bulk of my research concerning the cast and crew from the IMDb website which was well documented with cast and crew roles and provided links highlighting the previous work each actor and crewman had done. In addition to this I found the Australian Film Commission website extremely useful. Not only did it provide the grossing figures of the movie but it also showed a chart which compared the profits of Gettin' Square to the other major Australian theatrical releases of 2003.
Unfortunately due to the recent release of this film I was unable to locate any written information from text books, so I was significantly restricted to material from the Internet and extracts from the special features menu on the DVD. The fact that Gettin' Square didn't have an official website was disappointing, however I was able to collect the same information from other sources.
SYNOPSIS
The film Gettin' Square, (2003) directed by Jonathan Teplitzky follows in the same generic footsteps of successful Australian crime films such as Two Hands and Dirty Deeds. Set in the colourful surroundings of Queensland's Gold Coast the film is driven by several characters needs to 'get square'.
The film revolves around Barry 'Wattsy' Wirth a young Aussie bloke who has just spent eight years in jail for a crime that he didn't commit, after taking the blame from crime boss Chicka Martin (Garry Sweet).
Barry is released on parole after he learns that his sick mother has died and he must look after his younger brother Joey (Luke Pegler), who is going down the wrong track whilst working for Chika. In an attempt to 'get square' Barry sets out to find himself a legitimate job, however his prospects look bleak when prospective employers learn of his colourful past in jail.
Then along comes Englishman, Darren Barrington (Timothy Spall), an ex-crim who empathises with Barry as he too wants to 'get square' and out of the financial mess he is currently in. Ironically the cause of his problems, just like Barry is Chicka Martin.
Darren employs Barry as head chef at Texas Rose, his new legitimate business and Barry turns it from a deserted eatery into an overnight success.
The only thing holding Barry back is his close bond and loyalty to fellow cell mate Johnny 'Spit' Spitieri (David Wenham).Wenham's character brings much comedy to the film thanks to his lively persona, inevitably running into trouble wherever he goes (characterised by the flip flap of his thongs). But being the good mate Barry is, he sticks by Spit and helps him 'get square' and out of his $20,000 debt to crime boss Chika.
Not to be forgotten is the crooked cop (an typical element of the Aussie crime film) Detective Sgt. Arnie DeViers (David Field) who will stop at nothing to bring Barry back to prison and this means colluding with Chicka. And then there is the girl. Freya Stafford plays Annie Flynn, Barry's parole officer who doesn't just show a professional interest in the handsome bloke.
Barry, Spit and Darren give it one last go to 'get square' by carrying out one last job for Chicka. However things don't go exactly to plan when Barry discovers that Spit is wired to the Criminal Investigation Commission (CIC) after he shoots him. Luckily enough Spit recovers and the three of them make away with the cash, leaving the CIC to deal with Chicka and DeViers.
CRITICAL REVIEW
2002-03 was a big year for Australian cinema, especially the growing popularity for the Australian crime genre with the release of films such as Dirty Deeds (2002). This excellent film and predecessors such as Two Hands and The Hard Word have made the Aussie crime genre a competitive market. Then along comes Gettin' Square, a "slick and effortlessly stylish"comedy (Hollywood Reporter, 2003) which blows them all out of the water.
Gettin' Square is based upon scriptwriter Chris Nyst's real life experiences as a criminal lawyer in Queensland which contributes to the authenticity of the film. This is his first ever attempt to write a script and undoubtedly it will not be his last. Nyst delivers both dramatic and comedic relief to the film through his creation of character which is of great importance in the film. Nyst refers to the characters as "dreamers" and I agree, there is no other way to put it.
David Wenham gives an exceptional performance as Johnny "Spit" Spitieri, a smack addict who has just been released on parole who dreams to get straight and start a new life in Italy. Wenham steals the show in one scene in particular where he is being questioned in relation to the disappearance of $200,000. Stupid or smart is the question here when Spit manages to throw the prosecution off track by his excessive concern for who will be paying for his bus fair home.
Interestingly the film revolves around three lead characters and not just one protagonist, however if there were to be one it would be Barry Wirth. Relative newcomer Sam Worthington plays Wirth an ex-crim with a good heart who also has plans to get straight (although his plans are a little less extravagant than good mate Spit's). Wirth is a simple kind of guy who does the right thing and is loyal to his mates, even if this means going to jail for them. His idea of gettin' square is starting a new life and getting his little brother Joey (Luke Pegler) out of trouble.
Then there is Englishman Darren Barrington (Timothy Spall) another ex-crim who has just bought his own legit business, the Texas Rose. He too is now on the straight and narrow, happily married with two beautiful baby girls. However the CIC is on his tail for money that he had stolen in the past.
These three ex-crims find themselves drawn to each other in an attempt to "get square". Barry wants to get even with corrupt cop DeViers, Darren needs the cash to get out of debt and Spit does it to stay alive.
The non-linear unfolding of the film at times confuses the viewer and is a little unclear, however Teplitzky clarifies this suggesting that it is "a shaggy story about characters rather than genre". Perhaps this is why there is much attention to character throughout the whole film. Keeping this in mind there is no doubt you'll have to watch the film for a second time whether it be for your own understanding or just for laughs, either way Gettin' Square delivers the goods.
In relation to the previous work done by both the director and scriptwriter, the outcome is remarkable. Teplitzky and Nyst have both had very little experience in their own fields. Teplitzky has only directed one feature film and that was Better Than Sex (2000). Previous to that, his work was restricted to TV commercials and video clips.
Nyst up until now had never even wrote a screen play, as previously mentioned. Knowing this makes the film an even greater success. It is amazing the attention to detail he has put into his characters. Especially Spit who steals the entire movie. Nyst wanted to create a film that was as true to lives he was representing as possible. In the interview that accompanies the DVD Nyst said that all "characters are amalgams of real people I know." These are the people who Nyst encountered while he was working as a lawyer in Queensland.
Undoubtedly Teplitzky and Nyst wanted to create a film based on character and that is exactly what they've done. Creating strong, colourful and individual characters has allowed the film to move from what might be regarded as a ordinary Australian crime film to a smart, witty and satirical comedy. As previously suggested, Wenham steals the show as an unrecognisable Johnny Spitieri, but he cannot take all the credit. Worthington is excellent as Barry Wirth, his previous credits include Dirty Deeds (2002) Harts War (2002) and Bootmen (2000). David Field who plays crooked cop DeViers, really gets into his character so much so that the audience is positioned to hate him instantly.
Generally these characters are nobodies in the big scheme of things. Nyst refers to his characters as "little blokes" all trying to start a new life, they are dreamers which fits in perfectly with the setting as the Gold Coast is considered to be Australia's dream town. Each character is determined to take control of their life and get back on the straight and narrow, however things turn out to be more difficult than they seem. Ironically Barry seems to be the only ex-crim who believes going straight actually mean staying saying goodbye to a life of crime for good. Chicka never really got out of the game as he still has some of the money he stole from the banks and Spit, well as soon as he got out of jail he went back into the drug scene. But the one thing they all have in common is the aspiration to get out for good and start a genuinely new life.
CRITICAL UPTAKE
The reviews of this film all seemed to share a positive response at the time of its release. Much praise was given from a variety of reviewers which can be found with links to the review page. The constancy of approval surrounding the film continued after its subsequent release.
Working in a video store I had the opportunity to ask many customers what they thought of the film. All the responses were positive. Many people thought it was the best Aussie heist film that had come out in years. In particular many people claimed that it wasn't the actions of the characters that made the film funny, it was what they said and the way the script was written.
Gettin' Square in relation to other Australian crime films is a highly worth while film to watch. The growing response of the Australian crime caper thanks to its predecessors has contributed to the popularity of Gettin' Square. This film exhibits all the characteristics of Australian crime films from the reoccurring corrupt policeman to the stupid Aussie 'no-hoper' larrikin. It also reflects real representations of our culture and lifestyle which O'Regan's suggests is a reoccurring theme in Australian films. (Australian National Cinema, 1996). And as the typical crime film goes, the likeable protagonist always wins. In regards to Australian crime films this may not be the 'good guy' as such, but perhaps the under dog who has strived to get where he is (even if this means by breaking the law) and is deserving of the outcome. In Gettin' Square this 'good guy' character is Barry, Darren and Spit who fight against the corrupt cops, ruthless crime bosses and the CIC to get even and get the life that they deserve. This increases the film's value in regards to the Australian way of life. Many Aussie viewers will appreciate the use colourful language aka "Shady Speak" and the flip flap of Spit's thongs against the pavement which only an Australian would understand. Therefore the film's strong resemblance to the Aussie way of life allows in particular Australian audiences to value and relate to the film. The comical element and exceptional acting also contribute to its popular appeal and break down cultural barriers.
REFERENCES
Australian Film Commission website:
www.afc.gov.au
IMDb website:
http://us.imdb.com/
O'Regan, Tom (1996) Australian National Cinema; Routledge, London. pp198-201.