Crackerjack - Paul Moloney

Paul Moloney’s 2002 Crackerjack is an Australian Sport Comedy film that exemplifies its generic tradition of sportsman in a witty humorous manner, with an Australian twist. Jack Simpson (Mick Molloy) is the main protagonist who begins as a disrespectful nobody. Simpson establishes his run in with the bowling team when he is uses their free parking facilities. This cheapskate act lands him in a situation that he cannot refuse… bowling with elderly people.

Simpson attends the club, bringing his crude and ludicrous one-liners, almost slapstick humor to the team. For example, “All that’s revealing right now is two inches off arse crack appearing at the top of my pants… ‘ello ladies”. Molloy generally tends to have a more lowbrow, in-you-face acting style and although Crackerjacks comedy is not typical for him, it does work. Overall, Molloy’s performance is high-spirited as he begins to become a valued associate of the community.

Although the comedy is quick and clever, it is mostly laddish sport culture, and this can become repetitive and sometimes misogynistic. That is not to disregard Jacks love interest; Judith Lucy is a positive female reflection of Simpson and brings her renowned unrestrained foul-mouthery to the screen. Moloney’s cinematography is not experimental, mainly due to his television career and limitations from this. However, this is not a convention of sport film so it does conform to the genre.

With tongue planted strongly in cheek, Crackerjack on the surface is a simple (and great) film. However, the film delivers a strong message amongst the jokes, which was surprising to see.