Student Essay on Australia and "The Castle"

Australia and "The Castle"

Summary:   Discusses the Australian film, The Castle. Explores how Australia is depicted in the film. Provides a plot summary.

The Castle conveys a variety of messages about Australia. This is primarily done through the experiences of the members of the Kerrigan family, a typical Australian family .For the Kerrigan's, every day is a good day because it is nurtured by the seeds of love, gratitude, and reverence. Although others in the drama look down their noses at this family, they possess the greatest gift of all, a truly happy family life. Throughout this film many messages are put forward about Australia so that by the end of the film we are left with a feeling that we understand the little world in which this family lives, and we could watch them through and assortment of adventures.

I think one of the main messages about Australia conveyed in The castle is the fact that Australians are not terribly materialistic and in general are quite simplistic. They appreciate the simple positive things in life no matter how unimportant or visually unappealing they may be to others. Darryl Kerrigan views the world in a unique way. He looks at the humming power lines above his house and instead of seeing a cancer threat; he sees a symbol of human progress. In a way the entire story line of the castle reflects the view of Australians as being simple and straight forward. The slender plot is basically as simple as a children's book.

This uncomplicated plot however leads to a much easier understanding of the messages being conveyed in the film Australians are shown as being the typical family next door people. The Kerrigan's aren't what you would call sophisticated, nor are they well educated; the proudest moment of Darryl's life was when Tracy earned her degree in hair dressing from Sunshine Tech. But all in all they are lovely people, the kind you'd love to have as neighbors, except that being their neighbors would mean that you would live directly under the flight path of approaching planes as well. In the Kerrigan's little street there is a sense of community which I feel also reflects the Australian life. Especially seeing as the little community of the street was made up of people of all ages and races, which is typical of Australian life.

I consider mate ship as another important message being suggested in The Castle.

This film shows the cast as always being there for one another. The first thing that Darryl does when he gets his eviction notice is run to Jacks house to check on him. This sort of caring relationship is shown continually throughout the film and I believe it is put forward as the foundation of the Australian relationships. A prime example of mate ship in the castle is the scenario in which Denis represents Darryl despite his lack competence in the area. Denis is used to dealing with small things such as conveyancing wills and probate not constitutional law. I believe that entering into this case with no idea of what he is doing and only representing Darryl out of mate ship is a perfect example of what Australians are like, Dennis was a little short on specifics, arguing that Darryl's case violates the "vibe" of the Australian constitution. Dennis was willing to chuck himself in the deep end of the pool all for the sake of helping out a mate.

I think the most central message about Australia being presented in his movie is to do with Family values. The Kerrigan's, are the perfect representation of the traditional Australian family. They are a family which eats dinner together at the same time every night, with Darryl, unfailingly complementing Sal on her cooking. They love each other and respect each other, and even though Wayne is in jail for armed robbery they are all as proud of him as each other. The film pokes a lot of fun at the Kerrigan's and Australians in general. But the typical Australian family with the pool room, patio & trading post on the kitchen table evoke something deeper in us than a quaint fondness. Although we spend a lot of the film laughing at them and their some what ignorant ways, we find by the end of the film that we have built a kind of bond with them. Despite their to some extent typical Australian foolishness we see that they are a family that is satisfied with family dinners, Hey,Hey Its Saturday, hunting out bargains in the Trading Post, holidays at Bonnie Doon, a pool room and a patio. Throughout the film we see the closeness of the Kerrigan's by examining the camera shots. You find that quite frequently in the film there is a shot of either all the family together or just simply of the family picture. This shows the closeness and love of the family and is an example of Australians close family bonds, which in many ways are no longer as strong.

Throughout the film you can't help but laugh at the sincerity with which the actors act out their satire. Not a flinch away from their sincerity, not a side wink to let us know it's all a joke. The way in which the messages about Australians are conveyed to the watchers of the castle is usually through the comical things that the characters say, and the way that they say them in all seriousness. This is suited to the depiction of Australians as we as a nation are generally portrayed as laid back people with a simplistic sense of humor. For example when Darryl welcomes his Greek son in law to the family he does so by taking the piss out his family. This is considered Typical Australian behavior and it is this kind of message that is being conveyed to the Audience of The Castle. The messages are expressed with the use of humor and a little bit of dramatic irony, as well as through the general relationships between characters.

The Castle depicts Australians as warm hearted fools who love their family, take the piss out of others, standup for their beliefs, bend rules, look on the positive side and like Darryl despite becoming wealthy in the end, Australians manage to retain their humility and love of the simple things in life.