Mental
Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson
The pig-headed mayor of a small coastal town, Porpoise Spit Dolphin Heads, has a downtrodden wife (Rebecca Gibney in a fat suit) who’s off with the fairies, plus five inconvenient daughters. So when the missus is obliged to undergo some residential therapy, he offers a total stranger, Shaz (Toni Collette) a job as their nanny.
The eldest girl apparently tried to kill herself a couple of years back and one of the younger ones is schizophrenic, but the feisty Shaz sets about improving the daughters’ and wife’s self-esteem, despite being distinctly unhinged herself.
This is a bit unconvincing and try-hard, and it doesn’t do much to advance the cause of mental health, but there are some laughs and Liev Schreiber’s Aussie accent is very impressive.
6/10
Released October 4, 2012
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Jonathan Empson’s TV script Chrome was nominated for an AWGIE in 2010.
His recently completed historical drama-comedy feature Leonardo’s War is in circulation, and his black comedy-thriller Get Out of Here has been optioned.
He is represented by Rick Raftos Management. [/box]