THE CASTLE

In the Australian movie THE CASTLE, home is full of memories and a happy-go-lucky, loving family for Darryl Kerrigan. Darryl daily congratulates his wife on her simple cooking, and he always tells stories to his sons. Darryl waxes poetic about his beautiful pet greyhounds, and his family loves their pool room and over-sized television antennae. When big business tries to buy their house. Darryl refuses to budge. Joining with his neighbors and aided by a simple tax attorney, he takes his case all the way to the Australian Supreme Court.

Funny, warm-hearted and moral, this R-rated movie is only flawed by foul language in the heat of battle. Shot with a Super 16mm camera in just 11 days, THE CASTLE became the highest grossing Australian film of 1997. Eventually, it went on to capture audiences at the Sundance Film Festival last year. Australian unknowns bring the affectionately drawn characters all to life. Simple and very quirky, THE CASTLE may leave some American moviegoers confused. However, those who like other Australian offbeat movies may enjoy it. As a picture from another country that hopes to play well in America, it demonstrates the universality of family, love and fighting for one’s beliefs