THE CLUB (1980)

THE CLUB (1980)

Starring Jack Thompson, Harold Hopper, Graham Kennedy, Frank Wilson and John Howard

Directed by Bruce Beresford

A Roadshow Release (Australia)/ A Stage Fright - Australian Film Office Release (USA, 1982)
 

MPAA Theatrical Rating: PG

Breezy Aussie sports drama starring Oz cinema stalwart Jack Thompson and written by David Williamson, based on his play. Thompson (BREAKER MORANT) plays Laurie, an aging Australian Rules Football coach up against a front office hellbent on turning the Collingwood franchise into a money machine. After obtaining an obscene sum of money, new recruit Geoff (John Howard) throws the team into disarray by playing poorly for ethical reasons. As Laurie tries to hold the team together and salvage his own position, office politics threaten to tear away the tradition of the club.

Being one of those play-based movies with stagy dialogue, THE CLUB nevertheless entertains, even from an American perspective (we're in NORTH DALLAS FORTY and SEMI-TOUGH territory). Beresford's direction is quite pedestrian but competent; he lets the actors and dialogue do the real work up on the screen. Thompson chews up the scenery and Frank Wilson is a real bastard as Jock, the old player coach with a grudge against Laurie.

It never taxes you brain and it's not something you need to see immediately but if you're looking for something a little different, THE CLUB is a welcome diversion. Let's call it a ripper.

With Alan Cassell, Toni-Gay Shaw and Maggie Doyle. Currently streaming on Netflix in full screen with VHS quality. -EH

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