The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)

Director:

Dusan Makavejev

Writers:

Frank Moorhouse (screenplay)
Denny Lawrence (additional dialogue)

Release Date:

14 July 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

A movie felt never so refreshing!

Plot:

An eccentric marketing guru visits a Coca-Cola subsidiary in Australia to try and increase market penetration...

Plot Keywords:

Coca Cola | Love | Australia | Fish Out Of Water | Irony

Awards:

8 nominations

Cast

Eric Roberts	...	Becker
Greta Scacchi	...	Terri
Bill Kerr	...	T. George McDowell
Chris Haywood	...	Kim
Kris McQuade	...	Juliana
Max Gillies	...	Frank Hunter
Tony Barry	...	Bushman
Paul Chubb	...	Fred
David Slingsby	...	Waiter
Tim Finn	...	Philip
Colleen Clifford	...	Mrs. Haversham
Rebecca Smart	...	DMZ
Esben Storm	...	Country Hotel Manager
Steve Dodd	...	Mr. Joe
Ian Gilmour	...	Marjorie

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15 | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Sweden:7 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Commission, The

Trivia:

This film was produced without the knowledge or consent of the international offices of the Coca-Cola Company. However, since both the company and its product were depicted so favorably in the film (as well as the film being free advertising), they took no legal action against the parties involved.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Terri is getting dressed, she has the pants pulled up and is starting to pull up the suspenders. The shot shifts and she is just pulling up the pants.

Quotes:

Becker: [meeting a camel-mounted bush ranger] The last thing I ever expected to see up here was a camel.
Bushman: Yeah, I was riding a wombat up until this morning... broke a leg and had to shoot him.

Movie Connections:

References Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera (1964)

Soundtrack:

Waltzing Matilda

Almost Worth Mentioning

This movie really starts strong. We know that Roberts is an Atlanta hotshot sent to Australia to fix Coke's marketing problems. We also know he is an eccentric genius. Roberts' fine acting convinces us of this rather quickly.

Unfortunately, the plot is so flimsy, that whatever fine character development has been achieved, it is negated by voids, inconsistencies, and downright boring film sequences.

Usually, I am a sucker for bold and far out plots. Examples which I am fond of include, "Dark Star," "O.C. & Stiggs," and "Popeye." Coupled with the fact that I must admit that this film was well acted, it surprises even myself that I cannot recommend this film.

The utter breakdown in this movie occurs about midway through the film. All comedy is instantly lost and the film turns dark. Afterwards, the film plods along. The film's attempt to get the comedy rolling again is not successful. More surprises await the viewer and they are darker still.

To be sure, mixing drama with comedy can be a formula for success. However, with this movie, the result is about as successful as "new coke."