I Love Her Too

For close to a decade, Australian film has been rather disappointing. There have been a couple of exceptions by critical standards - but as an industry our country has unfortunately spent more time catering to interest groups, putting more effort into 'artistic expression' and trying to appear clever rather than actually producing something entertaining. And let's not forget the Australian film industry's tendency to make films that overAustralianise Australians.

For the most part, our characters are ocker, beer-swilling larrikins with a heart of gold and we wonder why our films have a limited commercial release overseas. Do you wonder why the most successful Australian actors chose to make their career in the United States? An example of this is Yvonne Strahovski almost Striker nee Strzechowski who, for the past three years, has seen success in her role of 'Agent Sarah Walker' on NBC's Chuck.

Last week Snarkhunters sent Anthony and I to the Brisbane premiere of I Love You Too starring Yvonne Strahovski, Peter Dinklage, Brendan Cowell, Peter Helliar and Megan Gale. Anthony and I were fortunate enough to see what is probably the best Australian film in at least five years, if not ten - and meet Peter Hellier and Yvonne Strahovski.

Arriving at Brisbane's Portside Cruise Terminal we quickly located the bar at Byblos, a popular Brisbane restaurant who hosted the pre-screening function. While the affair was quietly casual there was a definite buzz of anticipation in the room that an Australian film was promising to be entertaining. While enjoying a drink we discussed Australian film in general amongst Anthony, myself, Nicole (my fiancee) and Wade (Snarkhunter and Anthony's little brother.)

Yes, it isn't just me that Australian film has disappointed. Nicole very nearly didn't attend as she has felt let down by an unentertaining decade and Anthony and I are both looking for time to complete our own scripts as the need for quality in Australian film is apparent.

Then, with no thoroughfare but still obvious due to the craning of necks in the room, the cast arrive. Peter Helliar (who also wrote the film), Brendan Cowell and looking as lovely in real life as she does on screen, Yvonne Strahovski. A positive thing about the film industry in Australia is the noticable lack of pretension. While it does exist, (don't get me wrong - I have encountered some world class snobs at AFI events and screenings,) I find that in Australia the people I wish to talk to, meet, interview or be photographed with, are approachable and the people who aren't approachable are generally not worth meeting and are too filled with self-importance to offer a decent interview anyway.

I am thrilled to say that both Helliar and Strahovski fall into the first category. We approached Peter first, mostly as he was closer to us and Yvonne was looking deep in conversation. Not at all because Anthony and I have both nursed little crushes on Yvonne since we first saw her on Chuck - and while I can't speak for Anthony, talking to her was a little daunting. There. I said it.

So Anthony leans over to Peter and asks if it's okay if we get our photo taken with him. "Absolutely" he replied, as approachable and personable as he seems, placing him firmly in Category 1. Anthony and Nicole both look at me.

"Luke, where's your camera?"
"I didn't bring it! It's a premiere screening, they never allow recording devices or cameras!"
"You're a professional photographer with one of the top studios in Brisbane and you don't have your camera with you?"

Out come the iPhones.

I do want to apologise. Yes, it was unforgivable for me not to have an actual camera with me. Any of our cameras would have compensated for the low lighting which I have had to try and compensate for in Photoshop. I do promise that I will never be without my camera again on the off chance we encounter Peter Helliar, Yvonne Strahovski - or anyone else interesting for that matter.

Hellier was an engaging person, very friendly and accommodating posing for photos with both Anthony and then Nicole and I.

At this point, I'd like to present the award for the Second Best Quote of the Evening to Anthony Sherratt for his comment to Peter Hellier:
"Mate, the trailer looks really entertaining. If I was just reviewing based on that, you'd be set!"

An officious looking woman with a clipboard then taps us on the shoulder informing us that we are all making our way to the cinema for the screening. Anthony and I look at each other and then at Yvonne. We don't want to interrupt her conversation but as Nicole, ever the voice of reason, points out that this is probably our only opportunity to meet Yvonne and we better take it while we have the chance.

Proving he is indeed a superhero Anthony takes the bull by the horns (or, in this case, the pretty girl by the waist) and, flashing a smile, asks her if it's okay if we get a photo with her. She responds with in kind with a smile that could stop not only stop traffic but hearts if she turned it up to ten, she says yes (ohmygoshsheisbeautiful) and is genuinely happy to be in a photo with us. Thank God that Yvonne is a Category 1 persona.

So Anthony and I are quickly on either side of Yvonne and in jumps Wade, all the while my amazing fiancee is tolerating my star-crush and taking photos for me.

At this point, I'd like to present the award for the Best Quote of the Evening to Wade Lange for his comment to Anthony and I:
"How could you ever be gay with women like that in the world?"

Amen Wade. Amen.

So off to the screening armed with popcorn and Coke with just a dash of Fanta, a concoction that Nicole initially sneered at but developed a taste for by the end of the evening. We're sitting in our seats, admittedly still a little giddy about meeting Yvonne and fortunately with iPhone technology the photos were on Facebook before Peter Helliar picked up a microphone. Somehow at this point and I can't remember how it was initially raised by the 'laminated list' entered the conversation. Probably because Yvonne would be on both Anthony's and mine.

Nicole: "What's a laminated list?"
Anthony: "The list of celebrities you are allowed to sleep with if you ever get the chance, no matter your relationship status ..."
Nicole: "Oh. Jeff Probst... Josh Hartnett... Hugh Jackman ...."

Fortunately for my ego, the list was cut short there by the introduction of Helliar by the cinema manager. I do have to say this - he is an engaging man. Whether it was on Rove, having his photo taken with a couple of strangers or introducing a movie that has been his passion project for a while now - he was warm and friendly in his manner. His quote on the film's budget probably earned him third place in the 'Quote of the Evening' awards: "We had a reasonable budget, though not as good as the Melbourne Storm's."

He was joined at the microphones by Brendan Cowell and Yvonne Strahovski and it was easy to see that the three cast members had become friends over the course of the project. They were relaxed, welcoming and clearly happy with the finished product that is I Love You Too.

Luke's thoughts on the film: It was fantastic to see an Australian film that was actually entertaining. The premise was fantastic and Brendan Cowell completely owned the role of Jim. Hopefully the impending success of I Love You Too gives Brendan more feature films and we see a lot more of him. Peter Helliar not only wrote a great script, but played the role of Blake with such conviction that I couldn't help but reflect that we all know a Blake. We all have a friend with the best of intentions, a perfect score for enthusiasm but losing a million points in style and execution who still manages to come through for you in end.

One of the most exciting cast members for me was Peter Dinklage. You may have seen him in Death at a Funeral playing the deceased father's gay short-statured lover. Dinklage is always fun to watch on screen and in I Love You Too he played a delightful combination of friend, reluctant ally and Yoda all in one character. I best point out, the Yoda tag refers to his wisdom and mentoring, not his physical height.

Megan Gale's appearance as an Italian Supermodel was beautifully played as was Hamish (from Hamish and Andy) as the concierge at the hotel. Then there is Yvonne Strahovski. An Australian actress brought home from the States to star in an Australian film ... playing an Englishwoman. The only disappointing aspect of Strahovski's performance is that there wasn't enough of it. The film, focussing on Jim (Brendan Cowell) and his inability to commit or tell someone he loves them was fantastic and while Yvonne Strahovski was outstanding as Alice, I would have liked to see more of her in the film.

Remember to read Anthony's review of I Love You Too here and go check it out at the cinemas. Australian films worth watching are few and far between and the movies that are good deserve our support. Thank you to Roadshow Films, Princess Pictures and Screen Australia for giving us the opportunity to attend, meet Peter Helliar and Yvone Strahovski and motivate Anthony and I to finish our screenplays.

And Yvonne, if you want - we're both happy to write parts in our movies for you.