MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Down 5,764 this week

The Efficiency Expert (1992)
"Spotswood" (original title)

 -  Crime | Drama  -  6 November 1992 (USA)
6.1
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 6.1/10 from 1,058 users  
Reviews: 18 user | 5 critic

An expert on productivity shows wacky workers in 1966 Australia how to run their moccasin factory like clockwork, despite laying off more than half the workforce.

Director:

0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 10000 titles created 2 months ago
 
a list of 501 titles created 3 days ago
 
a list of 234 titles created 15 Apr 2011
 
a list of 135 titles created 24 Oct 2010
 
a list of 334 titles created 16 Mar 2012
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: The Efficiency Expert (1992)

The Efficiency Expert (1992) on IMDb 6.1/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of The Efficiency Expert.
3 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Carey
Alwyn Kurts ...
Mr. Ball
Bruno Lawrence ...
Robert, Carey's Father
John Walton ...
Jerry Finn
...
Cheryl Ball
...
Wendy Robinson
...
Kim Barry
Angela Punch McGregor ...
Caroline Wallace
...
Frank Fletcher
John Flaus ...
Gordon
Gary Adams ...
Kevin
...
Ron
Toni Lamond ...
Mrs. Lorna Ball
Jillian Murray ...
Ophelia, Carey's Mom (as Jillian Murray)
Edit

Storyline

Wallace is an efficiency expert, managing the high-profile downsizing of a major auto parts factory. But when he is hired to evaluate a small moccasin factory which seems from another era, Wallace has to reconsider the rapid modernization he advocates, as he is confronted by the human faces such plans hurt. Written by Mike Myers <mmyers@ucsd.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

He entered their factory as the enemy. He left as their hero. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and brief mild violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

6 November 1992 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Efficiency Expert  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$101,307 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the Anthony Hopkins character shows his wife the trophy he won at the slot car race, you can clearly see the tape on the rug that marks her spot in the shot. See more »

Quotes

[Carey's little brother sees him writing a poem.]
Carey's Brother: Hee-hee-hee. Who's Cheryl?
Carey: No one you'd know. A model.
Carey's Brother: "I wake up with the sun, bright and new. I listen to the sun, and the early morning dew." Dew doesn't make any noise.
Carey: What? Look, it's my poem, I can write what I like.
Carey's Brother: Just trying to help. If I was you I'd stick to drawing.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The 1960s in Australia were a period of great upheaval, followed by downheaval and, eventually, heaval. Presiding over this indecision were great experts such as Errol Wallace and Jerry Finn. They were efficiency consultants. See more »

Connections

References Thunder Alley (1967) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Loved One"
Written by B Lovett / Clyne / Humphreys
Performed by The Loved Ones
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
"There may be a chance for you yet, Errol Wallace" - Caroline Wallace
25 November 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Errol Wallace's wife, Caroline, perfectly played by Angela Punch McGregor, delivers that turning point line and sums up the plot. Bottom line focused efficiency expert finally sees the people whose lives his career of recommendations affect and unwittingly saves his own marriage in the process.

Some might say "slow and plodding", but then they'd be missing the point. Layers of character development compactly delivered in 90-some minutes contradict that sentiment. No one does it better than Sir Anthony. Reminiscent of Merchant and Ivory's "Howard's End" but set in 1969 in Victoria Australia's working district of Spotswood a few kilometers from Melbourne, Hopkins again makes his measured character riveting more by acting than by dialog. For instance the look on his face is priceless while not being overplayed when, after asking Caroline to get him an "axe handle or something heavier", fearing a second labor retaliation on their home, she brings him a flimsy lady's umbrella.

To paraphrase another reviewer, "Quite a little gem."


3 of 4 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
'Not a Must-see?' Have your head examined. tiptop-1
Slot cars profbrane
Discuss The Efficiency Expert (1992) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?