Sure, you've seen this all before, but this Aussie "let's-get-rid-of-the-hubbie-and-run-off-together" tale has a feeling of depth and emotion not usually found in similar late night cable trash.
Bill Hunter is the head police honcho of a scruffy outback burg. After solely busting up a drug deal, he finds himself in the possession of a lot of cash. Life will be fantastic for the underpaid, underappreciated officer! That is, until the sweaty, paunchy cop heads home to find his younger, slimmer wife doing more than a waltzing matilda on the town's local stud. When a struggle ensues, Hunter is shot and presumed dead. The adulterous wife and her honey dispose of his body. Will they find his incredible stash of drug money? Is Hunter truly dead? Will a nosy deputy make sure everyone gets their comeuppance?
The heated locale and single-minded determination of one of the characters plays like an involving Jim Thompson novel and has a great deal of tone comparisons to the Tavernier adaptation "Coup de Torchon." Hunter, who, along with fellow Aussie actor Jack Thompson, seemed to pop up in practically all of the films released from Down Under in the '80s, lends his role a sympathetic, assured performance. Mary Regan, as his unfaithful wife, deftly conveys a livewire bundle of nerves, acting on instinct and fear. And Jim Holt, as the squirrelly deputy, has an off-kilter demeanor that perfectly disguises his threat.
Even though this ran under 90 minutes, the film feels fleshed-out enough to economically and effectively unfurl its story. Any longer and it would not be as worthwhile a viewing as it stands. My rating **1/2 out of ****.
