Director

Dean Murphy
(STRANGE BEDFELLOWS)

Stars

Shane Jacobson (KENNY), Paul Hogan and Fiona O’Loughlin

It’s fair to say that there isn’t anything else quite like That’s Not My Dog, and I mean that in a complimentary way. A unique concept for a film, where the entire premise is the delivery a great joke.

Produced by Shane Jacobson as an homage to his father Ronald (who also appears in the film), this is a celebration of joke telling in its purest form. Acknowledged by the filmmakers is our modern reliance on technology and often social media to share humour; a simple ‘here, look at this meme’ has replaced the art of storytelling and punch lines. What That’s Not My Dog sets to achieve is a rediscovery of person to person humour, using some of Australia’s funniest actors and comedians as the joke tellers.

The film is simple, shot over only 4 nights (although appearing as one) the actors converge at a property in Clarkefield (country Victoria) to drink, be merry and regale in one another’s cleverly crafted jokes. Woven into the evening are performances from some of Australia’s finest music acts including Russell Morris and The Black Sorrows.

It’s an easy film to watch, it certainly doesn’t take too much thinking. Not a film that will become a re-watchable Australian classic by any means, but one that that you can check out if you’ve had a rough week and need something mindlessly enjoyable.  The only possible downside is the one and done approach that the director implements for each of the cast. With such a wealth of comedic talent it would have been good to see more screen time from some of the contributors, but each was assigned their sole joke for the event. Sometimes less is more, which is something this film doesn’t seem to appreciate in its casting.  The one exception to this was the back and forth between Marty Fields and Stephen Hall, which was intermittently dispersed throughout the night. This was a surprising highlight of the film for me, as the last time I’d seen Marty Fields he was drunk and attempting one of the worst stand-up routines I’ve seen. I’m pretty sure an audience member faked having a stroke to get out of watching the second half of his act that night.

Whilst not a masterpiece; the movie produces a light-hearted escapism that’s good for one viewing. Basically That’s Not My Dog is to cinema as New Idea is to the written word; not to be taken seriously, disposable and a good way to kill some time if you don’t want to have to think too hard.

2.5 Stars

Moviedoc thanks ABCG Film for the invite to the screening of this film.

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