KEY POINTS:
Herald rating: * * * *
The name and subject matter - the adventures of a portaloo plumber - suggest this mockumentary has come down with a spot of SouthParkobacter, and it will have some scatological awfulness to confirm our worst suspicions. After all, it was a big
hit at home in Australia. Something must have impressed them.
But that awful moment never really arrives. Sure there are times when you can almost smell the scenery, helped by the lead character's colourful descriptions: "There's a smell in here which is going to outlast religion," says Kenny coming up for air from scrubbing out a tank.
But part of this film's charm is that while it's largely set in a world of plastic loos, its humour isn't shithouse.
It's driven by character, a mix of good ol' Aussie larrikinism, blokey stoicism and a worryingly convincing performance by Shane Jacobson (brother of director Clayton) as Kenny Smyth.
The fear that you'll witness something gross is soon replaced by another tension: just when is big Kenny going to lose his cool?
He's copping it from all sides. He's tolerant to a fault with his often hopeless co-workers at Splashdown (a real Aussie portaloo business).
He's doing his best to be a good father to his boy, despite the constant tension with his ex-wife.
His own father still treats him like a teenager (anyone who has dealt with an elderly relation in failing health will find their later scenes together so real, it's actually funny).
And then there are the customers - the suit-and-tie guys who hire the loos but shrug off a handshake, or the Melbourne Cup ladies who berate Kenny one minute then disgrace themselves the next.
The movie gently says something pointed about the guys who deal with society's dirtier jobs but not at the expense of deriving as much comedy it can out of its combo of bad taste and Kenny's dry good humour.
Thankfully, just as we've had enough blowfly-on-the-wall coverage of his working day, Kenny goes on an adventure to a plumbing expo in Memphis, a trip which is his chance to shine in the air (fixing a loo on the plane which impresses stewardess Jackie and sows the seeds of romance) and on the ground with some Japanese clients.
Sometimes you can't help but feel Kenny is just a little too naive and cute - he comes with a speech impediment which softens his gruff appearance.
And though framed as a mockumentary at the start, it gradually drops the facade along the way. Otherwise, Kenny is hilarious - toilet humour and all - and surprisingly touching. Just remember to wash your hands afterwards.
Cast: Shane Jacobson, Eve von Bibra
Director: Clayton Jacobson
Rating: M (offensive language)
Running time: 100 mins
Screening: Rialto, SkyCity, Hoyts
Verdict: The best outhouse comedy to come out of Australia, ever
