Not Suitable for Children (2012) Reviews

• It's the Bucket List of baby-making.

  awkwardmatt2012-07-06

  20-something Jonah (played by Ryan Kwanten) is a self-described "f$%*stick". Stevie (played by Sarah Snook who is being described by several critics as Australia's answer to Emma Stone) is the cynical best friend while Gus (Ryan Corr) is the clueless other best friend. Jonah discovers a lump in his nether regions during sex and after a visit to the doctor, is told that he has testicular cancer. Treatment for which will leave him infertile. This turns his whole carefree, in the moment, partying world upside down and leaves him considering whether he really wants a baby or not. The catch is he only has a matter of weeks before the operation. Feeling like his future has been snatched from him, he goes through his list of ex's and humorously tries to convince them to be the mother of his unborn child. Stevie and Gus are both supportive but concerned about the lengths that Jonah is going to in his insane quest over this newfound dream of being a father. Covering some truths of conceiving and cancer, this film doesn't stray too far from the beaten track. There are moments of great and awkward comedy, especially played out by Gus who seems to forever linger a bit too much while not having a clue what's happening around him. The success lies in the chemistry between the friends, mainly Jonah and Stevie. Stevie thrives in this with the moments between her and Jonah feeling natural and real, rather than a forced progression in the story. The dialogue is unassuming but still effective and Sarah Snook and Ryan Kwanten show the complexities of each seemingly simple moment. Fun fact: Sarah Snook was one of a handful of finalists to play Lisbeth Salander in the 2011 Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. Despite how basic this movie may sound, it's definitely worth the watch as you travel with the main characters discovering themselves.

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• He never wanted to have kids until life kicked him in where it counts.

  luke-eberhardt2012-08-14

  I enjoy a good romantic comedy once on a while. The Australian film industry hasn't done much to make a genuine, funny or exceptional film in the genre, example, "I Love You Too" and "Any Questions For Ben". But hearing good things about this film drew me to it, and as a romantic comedy or not it works. Its the third film Ryan Kwantan has made in Australia for three years now (after Red Hill and Griff The Invisible). Its the debut feature for Oscar nominated director Peter Templeman. The Story is about a playboy; Jonah(Ryan Kwantan) who finds out on unusual circumstances that he has testicular cancer, This means he's unable to father children properly after surgery. So when his sperm sample fails to freeze he decides he quickly needs to have a child in 4 weeks before he can have surgery. Kwantan will always seem to entertain me on any level throughout his career. But I must mention actress Sarah Snook really steals the show here proving she's someone to have a high profile in the future. The film is actually really funny and charming and will be able to beat any Rom Com I'll see for a while. The rest of the cast is really good along with the character development and smart script. Its one film I do highly recommend people to see, You'll get what you want! 4/5

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• A different romantic comedy - a love affair with balls.

  frances-362012-07-03

  'Not Suitable For Children' is not what you expect but it's what you need to see. Filmed in a party atmosphere of young abandon, a serious question is treated with life-affirming humor and served up on a plate of romance by two very good friends. Michael Lucas writes what he knows by taking a taboo subject and treating it with a fresh and compassionate honesty, rooted in the hedonistic universe of youth. His script shines with experience, knowledge and unlike many Aussie scripts was obviously given time to stew until it developed the perfect flavor. Under Peter Templeton direction the film feels very contemporary - Young Australia without a single koala - full of life as they know it in a Sydney polished with affection. The affection is what struck this writer. The director made smart, funny, caring, gutsy, real and tender choices which hit their mark, every time. Each of the cast carry their weight perfectly, especially Ryan Kwanten, Sarah Snook and Ryan Corr. Their total commitment to and trust in their director and writer was obvious and much appreciated although it looks like they're just having a party - perhaps they were.

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• Definitely worth it!

  shivam-ga2012-11-02

  I basically liked the story. Short and very precise. Gistful with some wonderfully enacted 'awkward moments'. Entertaining as a whole. Not to forget the sensual scenes. The movie starts with a party, and then another party, and then another. I mean what better job than arranging parties and enjoying them. The female lead acted very well. She looked gorgeous too. The best part is that it's not some American cooked up XX movie with prom night( or stuff like that ) rather it has a story and delivers the message very profoundly. Somewhat on the same lines is an Bollywood movie named 'Vicky Donor'. It is great too; just in Hindi language. Go for it. Definitely not for children. Not for geeks (Dhiraj) as well. Enjoy

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• If this film attracts audiences like it should it will speak to the young adult generation as profoundly as modern films like Garden State (2004) have

  Likes_Ninjas902012-07-05

  Jonah (Ryan Kwanten) lives with his housemates Gus (Ryan Corr) and Stevie (Sarah Snook) and enjoys hosting parties. One night Jonah discovers something is wrong with his body and is taken to hospital. He is told that he has testicular cancer. He only has a limited amount of time before he will be operated on and won't be able to conceive children. Driven into a panic because of the uncertainty of his future, he attempts to call up as many of his exes as possible to see if they will conceive a child with him. Both his housemates are gradually drawn into this mess as they try and warn people about Jonah's mindset. Stevie is roped in the deepest as she reluctantly has to ask someone at work if they will be able to help Jonah. Not Suitable For Children, a delightful Australian film, is miles away from the local comedies produced in the early noughties. The earliest part of the decade was a major setback for Australian cinema, as the numerous comedies produced were idiotic and unfunny. Last year Red Dog was released and people went in droves to watch a film that was clever, funny and accessible. This film deserves the same response. It is one of the most entertaining local films I have seen in several seasons. There's utter professionalism about director Peter Templeman's work here. Photographed around Newtown in all her glory, the film is shot with utter clarity and precision. There's such detail and verisimilitude in the photography that we recognise this as a world that is familiar and continually vibrant. Thematically, that's important because it shows how the world is perpetual, refusing to slow for the characters in the story. This energised world is most evident in an early party scene, where Jonah moves aimlessly between people, connectionless. This also feeds into the idea of the uncertainty of adult life as you solely drift between stages, with no one waiting for you on either side. This concept of belated maturity rests steadily on an original premise and a pitch perfect understanding of comedy. The film might be about testicular cancer but the brand of comedy is low-key, observational and subtly drawn. The script and performances opt not for the cheap laughs or gross-out gags but to provide the audience with enough time and space to think for themselves. Take a scene where Jonah and Stevie talk to a lesbian couple about conceiving a baby. One of the women is attractive to Jonah, the other is clearly not. Listen to how loaded Jonah's dialogue is when he asks which one will be carrying the baby. We have a situation grounded in reality, as all good comedy should be, and what Jonah says is the punch line. The straight-faced comedy is further complimented by Stevie's confused facial expressions, making it a hysterical scene. The humour is masterfully controlled and I enjoyed the film a lot for that reason and laughed aplenty. Adding sophistication and humanity to the rest of the film are the performances. Kwanten is in fine touch as the dopey and spaced-out Jonah and Ryan Corr (Coby from Packed to the Rafters) provides wonderful moments of pure comic timing. Yet Sarah Snook as Stevie (who looks not unlike Emma Stone) gives a star-making performance, bringing genuine feeling and plausible motivations to the narrative. She's caught between her work life and a friend in need, meaning that there's a frustrating inseparability between those once neatly divided identities. If there is some degree of predictability about the narrative and the relationships, it doesn't matter because there's tension and humour that makes it feel involving and anew again. I think if this film attracts audiences like it should it will speak to the young adult generation as profoundly as modern films like Garden State (2004) have.

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