Rating: M
Running Time: 90 minutes
Release Date: 17 March 2011, also screened as part of BAFF
Griff the Invisible (Ryan Kwanten) is the bullied worker by day who dreams of being the superhero/saviour by night. Sounds familiar, well the brilliant Kick Ass film from 2010 had similar themes but surpass this in leaps and bounds. The only difference is the girl he covets Melody (Maeve Dermody) also happens to be his brother’s girlfriend and he is no longer a teenager.
It is human nature to go for the underdog but this film doesn’t engender any sympathy for him or his quirky girlfriend in the making. Both seem to inhabit the same parallel universe which unites them in challenging social norms and their characterisations while interesting are just not endearing. This story is borrowed but it is definitely not an improvement on its predecessors. It is relying on the fact it is Australian and has some whimsical bent to set itself apart from the superhero pack. The average Joe donning a cape and tights has already been done and a mediocre version isn’t going to cut the mustard.
Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, Red Hill) does well with what he is given but it’s just such a disappointing script and the same can be said for Maeve Dermody. Written and directed by Leon Ford in his first feature length film as a director, it had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and other film festivals followed including Berlin and Adelaide (BAFF).
2/5 stars catch it on dvd on a rainy day
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