From the humblest of beginnings, where Australia’s ABC network weren’t sure on investing in their talent, to multi-million selling music artists that sold out Madison Square Garden and can count the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, and Sarah Jessica Parker as fans, The Wiggles defied the expectations of many to form a global brand that, first and foremost, maintained its sense of whimsy for their target market of young children and families, and it’s their unlikely story of global domination that documentarian Sally Aitken lays focus on in Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles.
The original line-up – Anthony Field, Greg Page, Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt – naturally dominate Aitken’s sweet-natured feature, and it’s their initial decision to work together that opens up the first of the film’s 104 minutes. As we learn that the idea of The Wiggles was a side-gig, and that their charm was always based in their art-and-craft-like approach to performing (at least initially), one of the only faults of the documentary is that it aims to cover too much in such a short sitting; the group’s line-up change, and the subsequent controversy that generated, feeling like it’s owed its own focus.
As each OG member sits down to talk about their experiences in the group – and Fatt quite amusingly says that OG should stand for “old guys” – Aitken really captures the sense of how much they love each other, how proud they are of the band they created, and how much effort truly went into proceedings that, on the surface, looked incredibly flippant; say what you will, but there’s a science behind such songs as “Hot Potato” and “Fruit Salad (Yummy Yummy)”, and it was their individual education in both early childhood and light rock music that furthered their success as to how they reached the minds of a child.
When looking at their early days there’s such a nostalgic charm to how they gradually grew from performing for a roomful of children to global-sized stadiums, and though Field took control when it came to the business side of things (as much money as they were earning, the quartet never liked to discuss the topic or the suggestion that they shouldn’t be profiting off children), that “family first” mentality stayed true – both their audience and from within. It’s why when Field started acting distant and solitary the conversation about his mental health was had; it’s why when Page started experiencing health issues he removed himself from the line-up, despite how much he wanted to continue; and it’s why whenever a new band member was introduced, they stuck behind this new face (unfamiliar to the masses) and refused to let negative public reception alter their decision.
Though their health struggles brings a sense of drama to Hot Potato, Aitken’s film, overall, shies mostly away from anything overtly uncomfortable. The closest it gets is when detailing the entry and subsequent exit of former member Sam Moran, who came on board to officially replace Page, after being his understudy for an array of performances to assist with his ailing health. Though the transition into the group was quite smooth, his exit seemed marred in controversy, with Field seemingly indicating Moran’s contract simply ended and coincided with the return of Page, whilst Moran’s silence on the subject here suggests something a little deeper; on his end Moran, in the film, has nothing negative to say about his experience, but it’s clear there’s something more to it than an expired contract.
Despite the aforementioned though, Hot Potato maintains a heartwarming nature and truly celebrates a group of unlikely Australian icons who brought generations together. Superheroes across the world can keep their capes, as down under ours proudly wear coloured skivvies, and, as this film beautifully showcases, audiences of every age wouldn’t want it any other way.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles is screening as part of the Screen Festival Program at this year’s SXSW Sydney, running between October 15th and 22nd, 2023. The film is scheduled to be released on Prime Video on October 24th, 2023.
