Whilst the 2003 Australian crime comedy Gettin’ Square has its loyal fans and critical acclaim to its name, it severely underwhelmed at the Australian box office upon its release, leading the very existence of Spit to be quite an anomaly in itself. A two decades-on sequel to a flop genre flick is not the usual transported path for the Australian film industry, let alone one lead by a supporting character from the original film – a move that doesn’t always result in success.
Spit, however, against all the odds, is a supremely entertaining, surprisingly emotional venture that not only proves itself a worthy continuation, but a solid vehicle in its own right. And it’s largely all due to the absolute commitment to the cause from star David Wenham, who, arguably, walked away with the first film, leaving Gettin’ Square‘s lead, Sam Worthington, overshadowed.
The titular Spit is the nickname bestowed upon one Johnny Spitieri (Wenham), and though he’s off the gear, he’s still a mess of a human, and, once again, tussling with the local law enforcement, with the opening scene giving us a humorous insight into his criminal state of mind as he tries to smuggle his way back into the country; believed dead following the first film’s heist, we learn he’s been in London selling unauthorised Disney merchandise.
After a confusing brush with border security – and confusing authorities is often the norm for Spit – he’s shipped to a detention centre for illegal immigrants, and, suffice to say, his presence is even more noticeable amongst the more international detainees. Bless Spit’s heart though, because as criminalistic he may be, he doesn’t have a judgemental bone in his body to speak of, and he soon rounds up a diverse crew of fellow prisoners to help, both in and outside the centre walls; Arlo Green particularly impressing as one of his new acquaintances.
Unfortunately for sweet Spit, on the outside, a slew of the criminally-inclined are eager to bump him off and finish the job from decades prior, with David Field, Gary Sweet and David Roberts providing enjoyable turns as, respectively, a corrupt cop, a savage drug dealer, and the hapless fed who are all chomping at the bit to bump him off first. And though the aforementioned talent all lean in to Spit‘s exaggerated mentality – there’s also some wonderfully theatrical work from Pallavi Sharda as an over-the-top lawyer – Wenham’s anchorage of the material helps the film from every succumbing to such a nature.
Wenham absolutely disappears into the character, with his vocal cadence and physicality enhancing his emotional state in a way that even surpasses what he provided the character originally some twenty years ago. Quite simply, it’s a masterclass in comedy (the sheer sight of him running in thongs is enough of a laugh in itself), but, more than that, it’s a testament to his skills as an actor and the collaborative nature with director Jonathan Teplitzky. In so many ways, Spit feels like the type of film that shouldn’t work, but even if you’re someone without the knowledge of Gettin’ Square, what’s been created here, with lawyer-turned-screenwriter Chris Nyst also returning to the fray, proves consistently amusing and poignant, without ever succumbing to oversentimentality.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Spit is now screening in Australian theatres.
