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Thank God he met Lizzie

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Guy (Richard Roxburgh) is in his early 30s and looking for the perfect woman to be his life partner. He goes to parties where he is popular but just doesn't seem to have any fun. His friends set him up with dates - but they are all disastrous.

Then one day, in highly romantic circumstances (while trying desperately to find the owner of a pregnant cat), he meets Lizzie (Cate Blanchett), a beautiful 30-year-old doctor. The two fall in love and quickly prepare to marry, but on their wedding day, Guy is plagued by memories of his old girlfriend, Jenny (Frances O'Connor), the woman with whom he lived throughout his 20s.

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Not bad at all, really.

You'll note that I call this a comedy with romance rather than a romantic comedy, because that's what it is. And a black comedy at that. Just the way I like 'em.

The comedy comes from some really good writing and some really good direction, and an 80s reality check (if nothing else you'll know why it's the only decade not to have achieved retro status yet). But what makes this a film worth seeing is the characterisation: serial monogamist bimbo bloke guy; pragmatic sexy Lizzie; fiery, trashy, hard-edged Jenny. The respective actors live and breathe their roles effortlessly. They are so comfortable in their relationships that it feels like a documentary more than a piece of fiction. It's a treat to watch.

The all-important blackness comes from Guy reliving his life with Jenny while busily getting married to Lizzie. The conflicting realities stir the pot so that you never quite know what's going to happen. I have decided to let you know that there is a twist (it wouldn't be black otherwise, would it?) and it's a hooter!

This is a Generation-x film: mistrusting, dark and funny. The characters are the vanguard of our generational stereotype (I am in the vanguard of all Xers) and it's good to see us on film (I discount Winona Ryder automatically, of course).

Watch out for the opening sequence: the shadowy guy sitting in a chair watching the slut dancer is none other than me! Yeehar!

Security censorship classification

M (Sexual references, low level coarse language)

Surveillance time

91 minutes (1:31 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

DVD retail: Undated October 2001
VHS retail: Undated October 2001