poolshark2077 Reviews

Wildside (1997–1999)

The best Australian TV show of all time?

[9/10 · 20 May 2009]

In the ten years since Wildside aired, nothing has really come close to its quality in local production. This includes the two series of the enjoyable but overrated Underbelly, which have brought to life events in the recent criminal history of both Sydney and Melbourne. The miniseries Blue Murder (which also starred Tony Martin, but as someone on the other side of the law) may be the exception.

Wildside is currently being repeated late at night on the ABC. Having not watched the show in quite a while, I'm still impressed by its uncompromising story lines and very human characters. The cast is excellent: Tony Martin as a detective haunted by the disappearance of his son, Rachael Blake (who later hooked up with Martin in real life) as a community worker struggling with alcoholism, and Alex Dimitriades as a young cop whose vice is gambling. Equally good support roles are provided by Aaron Pederson, Jessica Napier, Mary Coustas (yes, Effie herself), and a young Abbie Cornish.

The ABC inexplicably released only the first three episodes on DVD a couple of years ago. The logic of this sort of marketing is beyond me, but I'm guessing it may have something to do with licensing disagreements with the original producers.

A great series which has aged remarkably well. Here's hoping the ABC's DVD department gets its act together.

(According to a moderator on an ABC message board, some sort of further DVD release is due in December 2009)

The Informant (2008 TV Movie)

A well-made and intelligent thriller

[8/10 · 14 November 2008]

An ambiguous crime drama from a writer and director who both contributed to the recent gangland epic Underbelly. The Informant features an excellent cast, led by the always reliable William McInnes, who gave an a superbly intense performance in last year's brilliant miniseries East West 101 (without doubt one of the best Australian television productions in recent years).

This TV movie was broadcast without fanfare on a quiet Friday night, no doubt seen by very few people, which is a shame. It was also awarded best original telemovie at the Australian Writers' Guild 'AWGIEs' a few months ago. As we all become increasingly disillusioned with network television, we should at least be grateful that this was shown at all, and not relegated to the 'not commercial enough' section of Channel Ten's dusty archives.

The film is an intriguing blend of criminal investigation and family drama, set in Sydney, with McInnes as a blokey furniture salesman with apparent knowledge of international crime syndicates. He is employed by the government to infiltrate one such organisation. The movie is stylish and well-written and provided a refreshing change from associating with drunken muppets at the pub on a Friday night :)