This edgy Australian film stars an ensemble cast headed up by pop superstar Kylie Minogue, David Field, and Simon Lyndon. Various characters interact under strange circumstances, calling to ... Read allThis edgy Australian film stars an ensemble cast headed up by pop superstar Kylie Minogue, David Field, and Simon Lyndon. Various characters interact under strange circumstances, calling to mind movies such as GO and PULP FICTION.This edgy Australian film stars an ensemble cast headed up by pop superstar Kylie Minogue, David Field, and Simon Lyndon. Various characters interact under strange circumstances, calling to mind movies such as GO and PULP FICTION.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Featured reviews
First: The recent campaigning of this movie is a huge hoax. Judging from the cover you'd think this was some kind of scandal movie about Kylie playing a character having sex, taking drugs and whatever. This is just a cheap market-scheme. She's barely in it and does neither of the things. The marketing here is unbelievable, and I'm surprised the filmmakers hasn't objected.
The movie itself was to me a huge disappointment. It seemed like a Sunset Beach episode directed sloppy-handed by a teenage Quentin Tarantino. And thats not meant as a compliment, mind you.
I think the weakness of the movie first of all is the story. It seems to be about nothing. Just about cool teenagers tripping around living 'on the edge'. The characters themselves does have some personality though, but the movie doesn't use its potential. As said, there's no story of any substance here. It seems to elaborate too much on cool dialog and ends up looking like a colorful MTV ad. It definitely has that feeling.
Still though, I guess some people might enjoy it, but I'd say there's far better movies like this around.
The movie itself was to me a huge disappointment. It seemed like a Sunset Beach episode directed sloppy-handed by a teenage Quentin Tarantino. And thats not meant as a compliment, mind you.
I think the weakness of the movie first of all is the story. It seems to be about nothing. Just about cool teenagers tripping around living 'on the edge'. The characters themselves does have some personality though, but the movie doesn't use its potential. As said, there's no story of any substance here. It seems to elaborate too much on cool dialog and ends up looking like a colorful MTV ad. It definitely has that feeling.
Still though, I guess some people might enjoy it, but I'd say there's far better movies like this around.
This movie is such a waste of time. The characters are cliched and the acting is pretty much non existant with exception of a few (Simon Lyndon, Kylie Minogue and Nathan Page stand out). It seems like the director has just watched "Go" and "Trainspotting" and tried to create a Frankenstein like movie, with disastrous results. The drug scenes are supposed to be hard hitting but is nothing more than you could see on any other drug related movie. So far you're probably thinking this movie is still watchable, which it is-just. But before you rush out and see it I'll warn you of Ben Mendelson's attrocious performance. He is by far the most annoying character ever to be seen in an Australian movie. Ever.It's moments like this that make you think how and why a movie like this gets financed and also made it to the cinemas. In conclusion I thought this movie was trying too hard to be cool and edgy that it forgot to add plot and character depth. It would seem that the sudden surge of Australian actors setting off for Hollywood(Toni Collette in "The 6th Sense", Russell Crowe in "Gladiator" and "The Insider" as well as Heath Ledger in "The Patriot")seems to be because of the crud that is being made in Australia. Australia needs to create some great roles for up and coming actors before we lose our young stars to Hollywood forever. I give Sample people 5/10 and thats being VERY kind.
The critics have been less than kind to 'Sample People' - so I had expectations that the film will be somewhat of a dud when I saw it. Many of the criticisms of the film are correct; it's a little derivative and quite a messy film - but that's part of it's charm. It's quite brave for an Australian film - it's noisy, colourful and never boring. It contains strong performances from Nathan Page, Ben Mendelsohn, Kylie Minogue and David Field; and a brilliant soundtrack of Australian artists covering classic Australian songs. The film's production design is excellent - it looks like a Gregg Araki film, and the editing and cinematography are relentlessly brash. It's imperative that people go and support films such as this - a low budget Aussie indie pic, because lack of support from critics and lack of distribution and publicity will mean that it remains unseen by the young adult demographic it is intended for. 'Sample People' (brilliant title) is as good as any film I have seen this year.
Isn't a sample what a doctor gets you to take to the lab when you've had food poisoning? Ideal name for the movie. This movie had too much blood, too many people getting shot and then being fine. Kylie Minogue's character didn't let her act as well as we've seen her in (even) Neighbours. The best character seemed to be Phil, the Indian kebab shop owner, mainly because he stayed out of trouble. I don't think I'll try to see this one again.
Missed it at the cinema, but was always slightly compelled. Found it in the throw-out bin at my local video shop for a measly two bucks! Will I now give it away to anyone who wants it? Probably! No purposeful plot, one dimensional characters, plastic world ripped off from many far better films, no decent dialogue to speak of. You know that empty feeling when you come down off ecstasy? Its that feeling right here. Sad thing is, the Australia I know is heading in this direction, minus the melodrama and simple answers. Interesting only to see the older Aussie actors (who had to ACT back in their day to get by) vs the newer Aussie actors (who have to LOOK GOOD to get by). Like some horribly garish narrative introduction to a film clip that never actually starts... Poor Kylie, started her career as an actress as well...
Did you know
- TriviaInitially, producer Emile Sherman wanted actor Ben Mendelsohnto play the character of Andy who in the end was portrayed by actor Simon Lyndon. Writer-director Clinton Smith said: "But he always gets blokey roles so I wanted to cast him against type and he just fell in love with this camp goth, glam punk character."
- ConnectionsReferences Doctor Who (1963)
- SoundtracksTake A Long Line
(John Brewster (as J.Brewster) / Rick Brewster (as R.Brewster) / Doc Neeson (as D.Neeson))
(c)1978 J. Albert & Son Pty Ltd All rights reserved
Performed by Grinspoon
Grinspoon appears courtesy of Universal Music Australia Pty ltd
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- A$2,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 37m(97 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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