After 20 years on the run overseas, small-time ex-criminal Johnny Spitieri (Spit) slips back into Australia on a false passport only to find himself locked up in an Immigration Detention Centre with a massive target on his back as old enemies come looking for him. As he struggles to stay one step ahead, the resourceful Spit finds new friends in detention, teaching them his version of mateship, and what it means to be truly Australian.
As David Wenham returns to the title role of Johnny Spitieri, you’re immediately reminded of what a great Aussie comedy looks like.
Spit is an instant Aussie classic. It is quintessentially Australian in its dialogue, setting, and characters. Wenham’s signature approach to the Aussie character shines. In his mentorship of new immigrants that he meets at the detention centre, hilarity ensues.
Moments when he teaches his new friends Aussie slang, or gives them Aussie-fied names for their citizenship applications are sharp, witty and hilariously relatable to Aussie culture.
It’s also surprisingly sentimental. The story follows Spitieri’s trying to supporting his struggling sister and nephew, as well as mentoring new immigrants that are seeking Australian citizenship. The result is a sort of underdog character, who spends most of the film barely getting by. His perseverence and ability to pull himself up by his bootstraps crafts the perfect Aussie battler character, with a good heart.
Spit also has an excellent supporting cast. Many of them returning from the original film. Twenty years on, David Field’s crooked Detective Arne Deviers, Gary Sweet’s drug baron Chicka Martin, Helen Thomson as Marion Barrington, and David Robert’s determined prosecutor Niall Toole return to the story and their pursuit of Spit.
Field and Sweet do a great job of playing brutal criminals in what is mostly a lighthearted film. They’re a great force of meanness for Spitieri’s naivety and friendliness to play off of. New additions like Pallavi Sharda lawyer character Aria Sahni are equally as hilarious, with some brilliant line deliveries.
A hilarious live-action comedy film feels refreshing these days. Many of the best comedies in recent years have been animated films, and Spit stands as a great example of brilliantly written Aussie comedy that a wide audience can enjoy. Check it out for a really fun time.
Spit releases in Australian cinemas on March 6th.
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