Frauds (1993)

Story of the ways in which insurance investigator Roland Copping interferes in and manipulates the lives of others with outrageous games and gimmicks. Eventually he becomes involved in an ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephan Elliott

Writer:

Stephan Elliott

Stars:

Phil Collins, Hugo Weaving, Josephine Byrnes

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Phil Collins	...	Roland Copping
Hugo Weaving	...	Jonathan Wheats
Josephine Byrnes	...	Beth Wheats
Mitchell McMahon	...	Young Roland Copping
Andrew McMahon	...	Young Matthew
Rebel Penfold-Russell	...	Mother (as Rebel Russell)
Peter Mochrie	...	Michael Allen
Helen O'Connor	...	Margaret
Colleen Clifford	...	Mrs. Waterson
Vincent Ball	...	Judge
Gandhi MacIntyre	...	Cartel Valuer
Christina Ormani	...	Telephone Girl
Nicholas Hammond	...	Detective Simms
Kee Chan	...	Detective Alan
Ian Cockburn	...	Matthew

Storyline

Story of the ways in which insurance investigator Roland Copping interferes in and manipulates the lives of others with outrageous games and gimmicks. Eventually he becomes involved in an escalating vendetta with a couple who make an unusual insurance claim.

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Plot Keywords:

painting | crossbow | twister the game | vomiting | goose | 

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Taglines:

A film about fun, foul play and a bastard called Roland.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arpa on heitetty

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

J&M Entertainment, Latent Image Productions Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: The Best of David Spade (2005)

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Soundtracks

"It's De-Lovely"
Written by Cole Porter
Published by Warner/Chappell Music
Performed by Marcia Hines with Bob Coassin's Big Band
Arranged and Conducted by Derek Williams
Produced by Guy Gross

User Reviews

A refreshing, oddball little film! Phil Collins in a fine film role!

Coming across this late at night on ITV1 was quite a find really. I had heard of it, and the idea of Phil Collins as a demented villain did appeal. I really liked the oddball quality of it all, with Collins wonderful as a jovial, buffoonish grinner, treading the line between menace and absurdity in portraying one Roland Copping, who one might call a tad eccentric. The lunacy and non-sequiturs build up very effectively in the middle of the film; perhaps the tone might have been made a little more dark, or perhaps less light, presumably with different, less jaunty music.

Maybe it tails off slightly, but the ending somehow seems to me a gem. The absurdism isn't compromised by a happy ending, it is strengthened by a subtle, fitting conclusion.

I wouldn't say this was a perfect film, but it is damn enjoyable, far from the mainstream and never bland. The sets, by the way, for Copping's house, are fab; just thought I had to add that!

Rating:- *** 1/2/*****