WELCOME TO WOOP WOOP (1997)

Directed By: Stephan Elliott Written By: Michael Thomas & Stephan Elliott Based On The Novel “THE DEAD HEART” by Douglas Kennedy Cinematography By: Mike Molloy Editor: Martin Walsh Cast: Jonathan Schaech, Susie Porter, Rod Taylor, Dee Smart, Barry Humphries, Rachel Griffiths, Paul Mercurio, Tina Louise A con artist escapes a deal gone wrong in New York and winds up in the Aussie outback in a strange town whose inhabitants are an oddball collection of misfits. This was a very disappointing film for me. I loved Stephen Elliot’s previous feature THE ADVENTURES OF PRICILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT. This film seemed to be in the same vein. Quirky with a bit of camp, Austrailian, colorful and yet fun like a midnight movie. They are quite different this film seems to have a good cult film in it, but goes off track to be too crazy and generally disgusting. The film starts off well. Though by the middle of the film the strangeness becomes too much. I wonder if Mr. Elliott was looking for something that would be in the same league and feel of his first film and could get away with or be specifically Australian. As this film seems to try really hard to be different, So much so that it looks like it is trying too hard and not letting it come naturally. The art direction Is colorful .yet the film get’s lost amongst the atmosphere that is dirty and gross yet strives to be beautiful. The cast is good and game for what they are asked to do, Jonathan Schaech is good and perfectly cast as the always smiling conman in over his head and desperate when his good looks and charm work out too well. He is leading man handsome. For some odd reason he never found the right role to carry him to stardom. Seeming to keep playing hunks or leads in indie films only. Strangely the film reminds me of the Chevy Chase starring film NOTHING BUT TROUBLE, but at least this film is better then that not by much though. The thing that carries this film is it has spirit. Not too much other then that. I really wanted to like it, but the longer it went on the less likely it seemed that it would happen. If you are a fan of midnight films this might be right up your alley, but I find it hard to believe this film will have a captivated audience. Unfortunately after this film Stephen Elliott seem to be a one hit wonder. As at least to me none of his other films have been as successful or worked to be gratifying and entertaining as his quirky first up to bat. EYE OF THE BEHOLDER was shot well. It was just that the thriller aspect and the quirks of the film weren’t a good mix. I can give him points that each of his films are quirky and different, but they need to also be entertaining , fun and of better quality. GRADE: C