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

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.