Review of The Efficiency Expert

I'd praise this film as one of the better efforts of the Australian film industry, if it wasn't abundantly clear that it depends on the subtle, low key acting of Anthony Hopkins to anchor it in anything like plausibility. Everyone else in it is a bit too broad in their character depictions, and generally speaking the smaller their part, the broader their acting. The burgeoning talent of Russell Crowe and Toni Collette is evident however, and these early roles are ones they never need to be ashamed of. The Australianness of the factory employees may be somewhat exaggerated, and their business conduct pretty disgraceful, but the film does succeed in depicting them as rather loveable. There is a tension between the need of businesses to make money to be sustainable, and the reality that they are a big part of people's lives. In the end the tension is unresolved. Does anyone really think it is feasible for Ball's to turn around and make a profit? It is and is likely to remain a sheltered workshop, while the money lasts. I enjoyed the film, particularly the 60s setting. I really don't think that there were long upright handlebar bikes like Carey's around then, though. Boys rode bikes with the handlebars spiraled downward.