Andrew McMurtryREVIEW: Kenny (2006)
November 9th 2008 12:13
“Kenny” is an Australian mockumentary which deals with Kenny Smyth, a humble port-a-loo installer with interesting thoughts on people. It shows his day-in day-out existence, and his struggle to be respected for his job, despite the work that he does. “It takes a certain kind of person to do what I do. No-one's ever impressed; no-one's ever fascinated. If you're a fireman, all the kids will want to jump on the back of the truck and follow you to a fire. There's going to be no kids willing to do that with me. So, I don't do it to impress people - it's a job, it's my trade, and I actually think I'm pretty good at it.”
Kenny endures a summer of plumbing at dance festivals which includes the burning down of a port-a-loo’s at the drag racing and the disrespect of all those whom he helps just by being near the toilets. To his credit, he accepts all the flack and criticism with polite banter and an ocker type of attitude. He also has a wonderful sense of humour. His world is complicated by his co-workers who can’t seem to do anything without him looking over their shoulders, family issues, and a trip to a toilet conference in America that just so happens gives him a chance to get promoted as well as finding a new love interest in air stewardess Jackie.
The movie seems to just set up what Kenny does and what he has to deal with in his profession and personal life until he goes to America. When he gets back from America, he seems to have new perspective on life and his job. Kenny is a contemporary representation of a hard working Australian. People just seem to misunderstand his work and this is where the hypocrisy shows, for example, at the Melbourne Cup with the women saying “This is a disgrace” and “It’s disgusting” about Kenny’s son helping out with the toilets for the day. In the end, they are seen urinating in the car park outside the race track. This is the end of the line for Kenny and when a man parks him in on the side of the road, Kenny takes revenge on the man after being basically abused all day. This is a great story of an Aussie battler. This is what it’s like being in Australia today. Jobs are hard to get and you have to be happy with what you’ve got and what you do. This is a contemporary view of the Australian society.
“When people look embarrassed or ashamed of what I do, I don’t try to convince them otherwise. I don’t try to beautify the job I do or make it look better. If they’ve got a problem with what I do, then it’s their problem. They’ve got the problem, not me.” Kenny is proud of what he does; everyone else looks down on him for it. The social message portrayed in this film is to not judge people just for the job they do or what they look like. It’s about acceptance of all people, no matter what they do, even if it is shovelling shit.
"Kenny" is a fun movie. It's not brilliantly hilarious or even that original. But it's a good idea for a movie and well made as well as having a decent script. I don't know that this will be remembered as much more than a cult film. I'd give this film 2.5 out of 5. It's a good movie but not brilliant. It is a movie you'll enjoy but there are plenty of others you'll enjoy watching a whole lot more.
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