Mercifully Short Review
by Jonathan Empson

I know it’s just me, but when I look at Ryan Kwanten, I think of a potato. Same thing with Ryan Reynolds. But hey, potatoes are so hot right now.

Here Ryan K plays young and wild Jonah, who makes a somewhat implausible living running paid-entry parties at the house he inherited from his late mum. He shares it with the emotionally unintelligent Gus (Ryan Corr, not potatoey) and the level-headed but relationship-damaged Stevie (Sarah Snook, excellent). Then Jonah cops a testicular cancer diagnosis and the cure will render him infertile. Then it turns out his man-juice won’t survive cryogenics: if he wants kids, it’s now or never.

Jonah’s mad search for a potential mother should be the stuff of farce, but the comedy here is more subtle, and writer Michael Lucas keeps the outcome unpredictable. Nicely done.

7/10

Released June 28, 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.