Rolf de Heer has taken his idea of a scientist who in 1907 discovers that the world will end in 2008, combined it with time travel via a machine that would not look out of place in a museum of Heath Robinson artifacts, added a good dose of well natured slapstick humour and filmed a fast paced, witty story in the style of the old Buster Keaton comedies.
In 1907, Dr Plonk (busker and entertainer Nigel Martin) discovers that the world is going to end in 2008, however no-one in his time believes him. To collect proof, he builds a time machine with the help of his erstwhile assistant Paulus (Paul Blackwell) who spends more time being badgered by Mrs Plonk (Magda Szubanski) or being forced to walk the dog (Tiberius) than actually working. Together they use it to try and collect proof of the end of the world for the politicians in their time.
Filmed in black and white and presented with musical accompaniment by the Stileto Sisters, we see Dr Plonk in the usual "fish out of water" and life threatening situations that time travel plots usually permit, with a healthy dose of societal and political commentary thrown in for good measure.
With this film, de Heer has again proved himself to be a capable writer and producer of material that, while not intended to be a mainstream production, will appeal to the mainstream anyway.
His script allows Martin's skills as entertainer to be wonderfully showcased and with tight direction there are very few low spots, and it's easy to see why Szubanski was cast in the role that she has been as she fits the role of the nagging yet supportive wife so very well.
I was fortunate enough to view it at the final dress rehearsal/preview screening with live musical accompaniment provided by the Stileto Sisters and their performance went off without a hitch. A standing ovation awaited the performers and film at the end - bravo! I sincerely hope that this movie will be available on DVD for eventual purchase and addition to my collection!
