Low budget Aussie horror Talk To Me is killing it at the US box office with $10 million debut

Simple but very effective, a low-budget Australian horror film by two Adelaide brothers has already made a big impact at the US box office. See review.

TALK TO ME (MA15+)

***1/2

General release

Joe Bird as Riley in Talk To Me.

This simple, yet very spooky Australian-made horror film is guaranteed to propel both its young creators (Adelaide brothers Danny and Michael Philippou) and rookie lead actor (Sydney-born Sophie Wilde) on a fast track to the big time. And not just because of its astonishing debut at the US box-office last weekend, where it grossed over $10 million against a Barbenheimer-dominated field of titles.

No, there is some serious skill and just the right blend of mirth and menace to the fore in this cheeky chiller that elevates it above many recent outings in the horror genre (particularly that recent Insidious sequel).

Aussie directing brothers Danny and Michael Philippo. Picture: Richard Dobson

While some horror fans may argue the movie doesn’t quite nail the ending, all will readily admit this production does much more right than it does wrong.

ABOUT MY FATHER (M)

Director: Laura Terruso (Work It)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sebastian Maniscalco, Leslie Bibb, Kim Cattrall.

Rating: **1/2

You can’t teach an old Bob new tricks, but these tricks will do nicely

Sebastian Maniscalco as Sebastian and Robert De Niro as Salvo in a scene from the movie About My Father. Picture: Dan Anderson

Using the words comedy, Robert and De Niro in the same sentence will generally be taken by most people to be a veiled threat.

To translate: a terrible time awaits you. Start running now, and don’t look back.

If you doubt this theory in any way, take a few minutes to Google yourself the trailer for the Robert De Niro comedy Dirty Grandpa. My apologies in advance.

However, it is with some surprise that I must report that the new De Niro comedy About My Father is actually quite OK.

This is despite including a scene where Mr De Niro – the indisputable owner of an incredible dramatic acting resume that few will ever match – can be spotted doing the Birdie Dance.

Or another scene (a mid-’70s flashback, to be fair), where Bob sports a long, greasy ponytail and runs a fancy ladies’ hair salon.

What keeps About My Father a touch above tolerable for the most part is De Niro’s genuine and endearing chemistry with the movie’s nominal leading man, the popular American stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.

Robert De Niro rights some recent comedy wrongs in About My Father. Picture: Dan Anderson

While it is clear that Maniscalco doesn’t quite have the acting range to carry a movie like this on his own, a generous boost from De Niro from time to time gets the job done.

Essentially playing a minor variation of his stand-up persona as a everyday Italian-American wiseguy, Maniscalco stars as Sebastian, a genial hotel manager on the brink of marrying his long-time fiancee (Leslie Bibb).

If Sebastian can make it through a long weekend spent at her posh family’s sprawling up-country retreat, a ring will be going on a finger.

The big twist – which everyone will see coming from a long way away – is that Sebastian will be forced to bring his dear, deluded dad Salvo (De Niro) along for the trip.

Of course, he is the kind of everyday Italian-American old fella with enough bad habits and inappropriate statements to embarrass everyone within a 10km radius.

While About My Father is in no way a side-splitting laughter-fest, it remains on the right side of bearable for a notable majority of its running time. Keep your expectations low, and the movie will just about earn its keep.

About My Father is in cinemas now

CHEVALIER (M)

***1/2

General release

Kelvin Harrison Jr and Samara Weaving in Chevalier. Picture: Larry Horricks

The name of Joseph Bologne (aka Chevalier de Saint-Georges) failed to find a rightful place in the history books after this remarkable man’s heyday had passed. However, at the height of his fame in 18th century Paris, Bologne’s killer combo of lady-killing charm, virtuoso musical brilliance and elite fencing skills was revered across Europe and beyond.

As played by Kelvin Harrison Jr (Trial of the Chicago 7), the subject of this polished biopic comes across as an irresistible figure with both charisma to burn and a talent that just couldn’t be hidden (witness the incredible scene where he bests the legendary Mozart in a violin-playing duel). However, the spectre of a very specific type of targeted racism – Bologne started out life on a slave plantation – ghosted his every move up and down the ladder of life.

While the movie as a whole sometimes lacks a clear perspective on its lead character, the fact this is a largely unknown story that thoroughly deserves to be told carries this production a long way. Good stuff. Co-stars Samara Weaving, Minnie Driver.