Love Serenade (1996) User Reviews

An acquired taste ...

[istalvies · 8/10 · 7 December 2004]

As a counter to the negative comments elsewhere re this film - I found it extremely funny. Although I should note that I'm from country Australia where this is based - so it's not surprising that people from elsewhere might not appreciate the humour eg. references to the "excitement of Brisbane."

However if you grew up having picnics in windswept Rotary parks, riding about dusty streets and choosing between the ABC and one other channel, this is definitely worth a look. Miranda Otto as Dimity is solid enough, but the character of Ken Sherry makes the film - a reptilian, tai chi following, Hawaiian shirt wearing DJ that will make you cringe with laughter throughout.

An Aussie gem!

[Flowbeer · 7/10 · 26 June 2006]

I've noticed that some people here are having a hard time finding this film, Love Serenade, on video or DVD. I was lucky enough to be able to catch this one on cable, either on Sundance channel or IFC, but this was a real fun movie to watch. The two sisters live together and eat lunch together every day, but along comes a new neighbor who moves in next door, and these two are at each other's throats to win the bloke over, before he even unpacks his suitcase! The new guy is a DJ named Ken Sherry, who just moved out to the sticks presumably after losing his job in the big city! And he's as smooth as Barry White on a Saturday night, this DJ, so both of them are captivated and try to do things for him to win him over, like catch him a big stinky fish or cook some crappy rubbish. The main gal, Vicki-Ann Hurley, is played by Rebecca Frith, whom I came to love after watching this, and who I just saw last night in another Aussie film also worth seeing, 'A Man's Gotta Do' (2004). Miranda Otto has top billing though, as the 'not-so'bright' younger sister, Dimity, and is enjoyable to watch as well. These two ladies play off each other well and there are some other nice characters in it that makes this a quirky comedy, fine Aussie entertainment! If you can find this at the video store, snatch it up! 7 out of 10 stars. *******

Shout out to Production & Costume Design!

[lilcals · 8/10 · 12 July 2012]

Plenty of good reviews up already covering the quirky humour and great soundtrack. Just wanted to give some praise for the Production and Costume Design - it's great!

Perhaps the fact that it's since dated so much helps, but it really gave that backwater country town vibe that made the film for me.

Highlights: Vicki-Ann's floral date dress, sets for the radio station, Chinese restaurant and Dimiti & Vicki-Ann's house.

The best part was Vicki-Ann's hair salon - perfect gaudy, girly, tack-o-rama. Loved spotting the hedgehog pencil holder on the counter too (another 80s childhood flashback).

Very unique

[darienwerfhorst · 29 July 2004]

I thought this was a very unique movie, with the same dry quirkiness as some other Australian flicks of the 90s like Muriel's Wedding and Priscilla.

The two sisters live in such a tragic backwater that when a has-been DJ comes to live in their town, they don't even realize what a loser he is.

They are so desperate for a social life they both go after him, and the results are funny (and the ending unexpected.)

If you don't appreciate the typically dry sense of humor of the Brits and Australians, you probably won't enjoy it, but if you do, it's a bit of a gem.

Brilliant

[juliehigh · 7/10 · 12 January 2004]

I saw it last night on TV. This is probably the best comedy that Australia has made. It's very funny in a subtle type of way that really captures so much of our outback attitudes. The ending is comic because of the surreal image of that fish.

self-consciously arty, exploitative, worth seeing

[funkyfry · 6/10 · 24 October 2002]

Very odd story of 2 sisters in a small Australian town who both become infatuated with a laconic disc jockey, who beds them both. The younger sister (Otto) is obsessed with fish and begins to believe that the jockey is part carp. Both sisters and very neurotic and become annoying before the film's end, but the film's emotional core seems true, and there are many scenes here worth looking at.

totally underrated Aussie classic

[roystonv · 9/10 · 9 February 2005]

This movie is a little gem in which all the odd ingredients come together to form a surprisingly spot-on depiction of Australian life for a large percentage of the population. It scores big points for depicting life in the fairly unglamorous and largely forgotten country towns. The two sisters, especially the Rebecca Frith character (why this movie didn't make her a superstar is a shock to me) are spot on. But where this movie makes the leap from good Aussie flick to comic gem is its lack of fear in being strange. I won't spoil the many surprising treats by giving any of them away here but I will say that if you're a fan of Preston Sturges, this movie is his unlikely Aussie bastard child.

Strangely compelling

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 26 August 2013]

In the backwaters of Australia, sisters naive Dimity Hurley (Miranda Otto) and older obsessive Vicki-Ann Hurley (Rebecca Frith) compete for an older creakily radio station DJ Ken Sherry. He's not pretty but the disconnected poetry spouting thrice divorced man is new in town.

The sisters' relationship and their fascination with this man drive this movie. The movie is spiced up with good music. It's strangely compelling and fun. It's an odd little indie from down under.

It doesn't get any better than this.

[steve-533 · 10/10 · 4 August 1999]

There are some films that seem to go so deep, they should just be allowed to go on and on. Their light is so bright they seem to compete with nature itself - they uplift and enlighten. Love Serenade, with it's repetitive Barry White underscore, its dead-on "this is not an act" performances and above all it's eccentric, unforeseen dialogue, plot and visuals has been added to my list of all-time bests. There's so much to learn here about art.

In the comic tradition of THE CASTLE...

[ksaelagnulraon · 7/10 · 5 February 2002]

Miranda Otto is, as always, superb as a socially deficient young woman living in a backwater town on the Murray which becomes home to the closest thing she's seen to a real-life celebrity: a disgraced, thrice-divorced former Brisbane DJ - and a sleaze to boot - becomes the town's new radio announcer. Otto and her older sister wage an hilarious war for the affections of the skinny, unnattractive man in his mid-40s, who has more than just a passing resemblance to a fish... Good Aussie film, Stratton gave it 4 stars (he must have seen something in it that I didn't), I'll give it 3 due to the slight lull in the middle. Rating: 7/10.

Lonelyhearts

[sol- · 4/10 · 7 April 2017]

Two lonely sisters both take a shining to a Brisbane disc jockey who moves next door after relocating to their small country town in this unusual Australian comedy. Miranda Otto plays the younger, shier and more socially awkward sister, while Rebecca Firth is the older and more assertive one, with the film often attempting to derive laughs from Firth constantly calling Otto odd while oblivious to just how strange her own obsession with her new neighbour is. For the most part though, 'Love Serenade' is light on funny moments. There is some nifty fish symbolism with a highlight being a segment in which a fish hanging on the man's wall begins to shake from vibrations, appearing to come to life, but there is never too much fun to be had in how he irresponsibly lets the two sisters seduce him, manipulating their emotions for his own desires. In fact, coupled against the tiresome arguing between the sisters, this is one of those films in which none of the characters are particularly likable. That said, the film goes in some very interesting directions in the final ten to fifteen minutes, with the bond between the sisters unexpectedly strengthened on account of an unexpected twist. The film in fact concludes on a very high note, but it takes such a long time to arrive there that this is a difficult experience to recommend unless one is prepared to be patient.

Worthy of cult status.

[Hereafter · 10/10 · 21 February 2003]

Overshadowed during its release by the tragic death of a stuntman Collin Dragsbaek during production, Love Serenade rises as a refreshing, observation rich film about despairing souls that happen to come together in "Sunray" a fictional country town. A town like so many real ones in Australia that manage to have a forlorn charm that shines through isolation and solitude. Love Serenade manages to sensitively capture this intangible quality to cradle its story within.

The title "Love Serenade' may have done some damage to its success as it could to easily have pigeoned holed it as a emotion saturated "chick flick". Ironically, once you know the film the title is perfect.

Essentially the film seems to be about the seductive power of persona fueled by the material mediums associated with it, in this case it's a 40 something DJ and his melodic 70's playlist. Within this entrapment all is normal and comfortable with the victim, but for the observer, in this case us the viewer, there are alarm bells and sirens going off everywhere.

DJ Ken Sherry represents what the mass media machine eventually spits out, burnt out celebrity that have been superseded by a new stock. To unfashionable to be seriously employed and to active to be retired these cast offs gravitate to anywhere that still attaches notions of greatness to there foundering media statue. George Shevtsov slips into the roll of the sleazy veteran DJ like a duck to water. His astonishing performance manages to contrive a personality that can only be described as revoltingly charming. Drawing on a a wealth of DJ streetwise experience "Ken Sherry" has an an opportunistic toy about with the misguided adoration of two local sisters. The resulting personality confrontations and moral diversities therein carries the film to its daring strange then stranger end.

Brilliantly written and directed by Shirley Barrett 'Love Serenade' is a great example of one persons vision being crafted and produced by a competent team that have taken on a singular vision. Its curious "fish" diversions and irratic surreal moments will have a large audience drop off, leaving a faithful few that will love it forever.

10/10

Eccentric look at relationships

[gcd70 · 6/10 · 5 July 2008]

Writer/director Shirley Barrett's film is an eccentric look at abusive, manipulative relationships and sexual relations between a much married, mid-forties sleaze and two young, naive and smitten sisters.

George Shevstov is the ex-Brisbane radio king Ken Sherry, who has escaped to the Victorian river town of Sunray where he is to resurrect local station 3SR-FM. There to welcome him in very different ways are sisters Vicki-Ann (Rebecca Frith) and Dimity Hurley (Miranda Otto). Shevstov personifies the lanky, smooth talking philosopher who takes advantage of the girl's naivety with ease, making us believe he is the world's lowest, yet somehow not repulsing us completely. Miranda Otto is fantastic as the deceptive Dimity, a girl you could easily fall for, and Frith is just right as her deluded, older and very dominant sister, Vicki-Ann. John Alansu rounds off the acting superbly as Albert, the bizarre Chinese restaurant owner.

A funky disco soundtrack (featuring Barry White) sures up Barrett's rather off-centre comedy which seems to send up, rather than seriously contemplate, the issues mentioned in my opening paragraph. Our writer/director has handled this well though, and with a fine quartet of performances from her main players (including a standout from Otto) the end product is good fun.

P.S. What's this "thing" about fish? Is Barrett saying people like Ken Sherry belong in another world?

Monday, November 17, 1997 - Hoyts Croydon

The Last 20 Minutes Were Great, But You Need To Watch The Rest To Get There

[cvcjr · 4/10 · 12 March 2006]

Rebecca Frith plays older sister Vicki-Ann, outgoing, aware of what others think and sociable, while Miranda Otto plays sister Dimity, who is just the opposite. Both of them wind up getting played by the new deejay in town, Ken Sherry (George Shevtsov). Despite the good performances of all the actors, the dialog and pacing plod through the first hour plus. Oftentimes, the Barry White songs and Gwen McRae's "Rockin' Chair" threaten to upstage the movie. But when Vicki-Ann puts on her wedding dress, the movie takes off for a fanciful, bizarre, unexpected and ultimately satisfying 20 minutes. Too bad you have to watch the first hour plus of the movie to set up the ending. My rating is for the acting and for the ending.

One of My All Time Favourites

[leighcatley · 9/10 · 25 February 2005]

This terrific little movie has a simple but bizarre plot that gets completely weird along the way ...

It's very realistic for anyone who has lived in a REALLY small town before ...

The Aussie "Bush" never looked so good. My favourite shot - the wedding dress run across those wide, open grain fields.

Clever direction tells you things without the clumsiness of deliberate speech e.g. keep a look out for the wheelchair in the lounge of the sisters' house, it's one of the few clues you get to their former family life.

Wonderful performances, music etc etc. An Aussie Classic.

Don't miss this!!

[smoothsoul · 9/10 · 20 December 2002]

"Love Serenade" is a quirky and original film. I'm reminded of Pauline Kael's remark about "Passport to Pimlico" - "comedy with a fine flavour." I'd never heard of this and only rented it because of a recommendation by David Stratton on the cover. And I'm glad I got it out - it's been years since I liked a film this much. It's generally quiet, but its off-kilter humour is really very funny, and its observations about the sexes are poignant and even disturbing. The soundtrack is a key factor; it's a great collection of smooth seventies soul tracks, but they're used ironically, and you feel a little guilty for enjoying them so much. The performances are really fine, too. In all it's a wonderful film and it needs to be seen.

Sisterhood is powerful

[dave-sturm · 25 May 2011]

This movie comes in cute and goes out really weird. It is one of the best black comedies ever made and one of the finest films to come out of Australia.

Two dorky, love-starved sisters live together in a house in the Aussie backwater town of Sunray. Their lives are thrown into a dither when a hotshot radio DJ moves into the house next door. The DJ, named Ken Sherry, has the personality of a lugubrious bloodhound and is thrice divorced, but the sisters are smitten. He's a celebrity!

One of the sisters, Vicki, is a hairdresser with delusions of tabloid grandeur, and the other, Dimity, is a painfully shy waitress in a forlorn Chinese restaurant with the absurdly grand name Emperor's Palace. The restaurant owner is, on his off hours, a proud nudist (Did I mention this movie is weird?).

When you begin watching, you may think you know where this flick is headed. You don't. Things get stranger and stranger and casual American audiences, seeing familiar sitcom elements unfold, will likely be stunned by the bizarre directions the movie takes.

For those looking for "something else," I cannot recommend this highly enough. Oh, and a terrific Barry White soundtrack.

Mediocre, definitely not funny

[lisee_lulu · 5/10 · 10 January 2024]

I grew up in a small Aussie town, so I'm giving this 5 stars based on the nostalgia of small-town life being so well portrayed. It's so accurate, I really loved it. It was also unique, too. Kudos for that. But it's still not enough to give 10 stars.

I'm removing 5 stars because the creepy ex-Brisbane DJ, Ken Sherry, was just...weird. He was a 40-something man exploiting two young, silly girls.

Dimity was only 20 years old and I don't remember her sister's age but she wouldn't be much older. He wasn't at all enticing or likeable, but I guess because he was a big deal in Brisbane they were starstruck. Though I appreciated that they realised he wasn't all that by the end.

But the whole dynamic of their so-called 'relationship' made me uncomfortable as. It wasn't the age difference, it was HIM. He was just creepy and lecherous. He didn't care about those girls at all, he just couldn't keep it in his pants.

Pushing him off the silo was the best thing that could've happened to him. Though I did laugh in the final scene when his body's floating in the water with 'I WUV YOU' printed on a pink helium balloon. The only time I laughed in the whole movie.

No fluff, little snuff,- top-rate stuff. (SPOILER!)

[swiftyl · 10/10 · 14 November 1999]

In a stunt toward the end of Love Serenade, the stuntman died. This shot was used in the film. Does that make it snuff? It shouldn't, but writer director Shirley Bassett hasn't got over it and made a film since- and she should as soon as possible. Grade A black comedy that goes til it stops without becoming forced or predictable. Come back Shirley-

Not funny but tragic

[goob-9 · 3/10 · 13 February 2005]

I agree that the movie was well acted, but funny? I don't think so - I think tragic is a better description. I didn't see anything particularly funny about an unattractive manipulative middle aged man exploiting two silly girls that he didn't care two figs about (despite all his talk about his meaning of 'love'). This man obviously had no idea what love was, although he had a fairly good grasp on lust. In the end, the girls seemed almost as emotionless as he was, particularly in the final moments. I must admit I missed the first part of the movie, but apparently the second part is the better part anyway?!!!! The best part was the surprise and sudden ending. Is he a fish or isn't he? Who really cares!

Great movie!

[Edwina · 16 October 1998]

I loved this movie. The characters were well-written; the acting was terrific. And the ending was unpredictable (unlike most movies made in the US) and, for me, highly satisfying. It reminded me slightly of Jane Campion's early work, but with a quirky sense of humor. I highly recommend this movie to those who enjoy a good low-key foreign comedy.

ideologies and realities

[billchiu · 8/10 · 23 August 2002]

a deep and surreal work littered with liberated personal odd moments; can you really separate seduction, love, and experience? and the expectations that drive each characters - maybe with exception of the middle-aged DJ - who is an odd thing that is wholly honest, manipulative, idealistic, quiet, and loud - all in one tall/watchful/private man. Love Serenade is weaved tightly, yet it seems to glide along the beat of slow lullaby to some sure but invisible destinations.

gills are ambiguous, seen from Dimity's POV

[52james · 8/10 · 31 December 2003]

Just because Dimity sees gills doesn't mean they're really gills. She is, after all, pretty weird. The ending shows Dimity's "I Wuv You" balloon tied to Sherry's body definitely moving away, but Sherry's not visible under water, and the film has set up the river as a place where dogs can be taken away, either by big black holes or large fish. This movie is better if you don't assume you know what's going on under water or what those strange marks on Sherry's neck truly mean. Is he a fish? Really?! Does he truly die at the end? The sisters' reaction to Sherry's "death" is what's really interesting here, whether he's a fish or not.

Terrible Australian made movie!!!

[carolwilliamson-69660 · 1/10 · 29 May 2021]

How can anyone think this is ok let alone a good movie!

Aussie love story in Super Slo-Mo

[tommythek · 9/10 · 20 July 2001]

For those of us who are not MTV Generationers, the people who live for bang-bang, shoot-'em-up and blow-'em-up three-second cuts in every movie they see, little gifts are occasionally given. Such as "Love Serenade."

"Love Serenade" is a calm, quiet mini-masterpiece in Super Slo-Mo from Down Under by Shirley Barrett, in her first-ever attempt at a full-length theatrical movie. As writer-director, she has crafted a film that is best appreciated by true aficionados of the art form.

The story, in miniature. Ken Sherry is a shopworn, middle-aged Aussie DJ in Brisbane. Having tired of the big city and just coming off his third divorce, he heads for south Australia and the sleepy little burg of Sunray, there to begin life anew. Unwittingly, he moves in next door to the two love-starved Hurley sisters, neither of whom, unfortunately for Ken, is named Elizabeth. Most of the story has to do with the two sisters battling for the attention and affection of the new arrival, plus his reaction to said battle and how he takes advantage of their duo-longing for him.

The actor/actresses portraying the film's three main protagonists are uniformly outstanding in their roles. As Ken, George Shevtsov is so laid back, you wonder how he manages to stay awake. Even during sex! As the prototypical male lothario, he is able to stay plenty enough awake, however, to take full advantage of the two sisters'.....ahem....."favors." Vicki-Ann (Rebecca Frith) makes no secret of her desire to land this man at all costs. The town of Sunray, obviously, must REALLY be hurting for available decent men to evoke such desperation in a woman.

But it is Miranda Otto as the younger sister who almost steals the movie from her two co-stars. As the apropos-named Dimity ("Dimwitty" would have been even better), she operates on low-wattage brainpower and just can't get a clue about the game of love. However, it is she who, in a one-time display of intelligentsia, provides the movie's near-shocking twist and climax.

The movie and story are much enhanced by a soundtrack comprised, in great part, by Barry White love songs from the 1970s, as well as some other songs of that like from the same era. This "love soundtrack" adds just the right theme to the two sisters looking for love in all the wrong places (translation: Ken's house).

For anyone interested in an Aussie take on how three different characters might attempt to play the game of love in Super Slo-Mo, this quirky black comedy is for you. All others, stay away. Your next knuckle-bruiser awaits.