European and Australian movie values mix in Beware of Greeks Bearing Guns, a subtle comedy about love and pride. Lakis Lazopoulus, revered in his home country as the 'Greek Seinfeld', makes his feature film debut alongside experienced Australian actress Zoe Carides. Lazopoulos plays a Greek school teacher expected to avenge the murder of his grandfather 57 years ago. Growing up with the expectation that he would clear his Yiayia's (grandmother's) vendetta has proved tough for gun shy Manos, but making it worse is the fact his more volatile twin brother George (also cleverly played by Lazopoulos) is keen to take destiny into his own hands. However, tradition decrees that the oldest son must do the honurs and when the long missing murderer is discovered in Melbourne, Manos must face his demons, leaving George behind to stew in his own juices. In Melbourne he is tutored in the art of assassination by old family friend Stephanos (John Bluthal) and is reunited with his hostile former fiancee Nicki (Carides). Only when George arrives in Australia to take control of the job is the truth of the vendetta revealed. Clocking in at a short 82 minutes, Beware of Greeks.doesn't waste any time. Director John Tatoulis works to a tight schedule and succeeds in telling a good story without the unnecessary embellishment experienced in Let's Get Skase, his last major outing. Also worth noting is the film debut of striking Claudia Buttazzoni who graces the screen as Nicki's daughter. Buttazzoni, who has had guest appearances in Home and Away, Neighbours and Blue Heelers, gives a great performance as a teenager looking for her identity, reminiscent of Pia Miranda in Looking For Alibrandi.
