We’ve all dreamt of a mid-life crisis where we’ve traded in our dead-end careers in real estate to, instead, become a Dolly Parton impersonator, haven’t we?
Just me? Okay. Whatever.
Well, that’s the basic rundown of Gracie Otto’s Seriously Red, a flick of supreme Oz-Camp in the vein of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – or Muriel’s Wedding, if that be your preferred flavour of bargain-bin, ‘90s Australiana cinema.
Written by Krew Boylan, who double-dips and stars as the titular Red, this film feels like a fever-dream throwback - both its earnest budget and its screenplay help to emblazon that ‘90s torch flare. Watching Seriously Red is like stepping back into a simpler, sillier time where movies might not take themselves so seriously.
In the opening, audiences are treated to the story of our vivacious and hilarious redhead (Boylan) who’s grappling with high expectations and low self-esteem. But the film moves at such a breakneck speed that we’re soon with her as she pours herself a cup of ambition and trades in her 9-to-5 for a life under the spotlight.
After misreading her work party's dress code, Red tumbles outta bed and finds her world turned upside down. She’s out of a job and quickly falls into a new world of tribute artists and impersonators in a wild and messy journey. Not to try and dissect a popcorn flick that includes scenes of romancing a Kenny Rogers (Daniel Webber) impersonator, but Seriously Red emphasizes how little choices can lead to a better life – those happy little accidents might just see you lose yourself in order to find yourself.
What can be taken away from Simply Red – a fun at its best dramedy that never takes itself seriously, nor overstays its welcome – is we might all benefit from putting on a curly blonde wig and getting out on the road.
Seriously Red (M) is showing from Friday, December 16, at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema.
You’re darn tootin’ that Krew Boylan and Daniel Webber are vibrant, fun, and campy in Seriously Red
