Tell them they’re dreamin’: Online critics link Australia’s housing crisis to the classic Aussie comedy The Castle
By A. James For Daily Mail Australia[1]
Published: 14:33, 13 April 2024 | Updated: 14:48, 13 April 2024
It’s the classic Australian comedy about battlers taking on the system – and winning.
But hit film The Castle, first released in 1997, appears to have some online users up in arms.
In a bizarre twist, critics of the film have linked its plot about a blue collar family trying to save their home from being acquired by developers to Australia’s current housing crisis.
Taking to X, a critic slammed the beloved hit comedy that made household names of Eric Bana, Michael Caton and Stephen Curry.
‘The film that did irreparable damage to urban planning in Australia,’ complained the keyboard warrior about the film that launched one liners like: ‘Tell ’em they’re dreamin’.’
Australian movie classic The Castle, first released in 1997, appears to have some online users up in arms. Pictured: Star of the film Michael Caton with his wife Helen Esakoff
The angry critic then explained that the film was: ‘A converge towards self entitlement and hypocrisy, a surrender to urban sprawl and sitting on a motorway two hours a day.’
Another joined in the strange pile-on against the film.
‘[1997] Literally when the housing boom took off. Coincidence?,’ they added on the X thread.
In a bizarre twist critics on X have linked its plot about a blue collar family trying to save their home from being acquired by developers to Australia’s current housing crisis. Pictured: The cast of The Castle
Taking to X a critic slammed the beloved hit comedy that made household names of Eric Bana, Michael Caton and Stephen Curry (pictured)
On Friday Channel Nine’s Today Show invited Michael Caton, now 80, to help celebrate The Castle’s 27th anniversary and respond to the films critics.
Caton’s Zoom interview, however, turned into chaos when host Karl Stefanovic asked the fan favourite about claims that the film ‘did damage’ to Australia’s urban planning.
‘That’s f******,’ Caton’s wife interjected, off screen, which sent Stefanovic and co-host Sarah Abo into fits of laughter.
Meanwhile, fans of the film took on The Castle’s critics.
‘I know the term is often misused.
But how unAustralian!,’ posted one viewer on X.
‘Bunch of wowsers. Great flick,’ added another.
Meanwhile, another fan declared that one critic of the film was ‘one too many, it’s a comedy FFS.’
On Friday Channel Nine’s Today Show invited Michael Caton, now 80, to help celebrate The Castle’s 27th anniversary and respond to the films critics. (Caton, pictured, right)
Meanwhile, X users jumped to defend the film (pictured)
Caton became a popular star in Australia after playing the lead role in The Castle – a Melbourne family man who fights to keep his home from being acquired by the government in its plans to expand a nearby airport.
Originally released in 1997 The Castle is a comedy about a blue collar family who do battle with developers.
Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee, Eric Bana and Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, srarred alongside Caton in the ultra-low budget film which went on to gross £11million at the Australian box office.
The films creators Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, and Jane Kennedy later made another comedy classic The Dish in 2000.
Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee, Eric Bana and Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, srarred alongside Caton in the ultra-low budget film which went on to gross £11million at the Australian box office.
Pictured: The Castle
References
- ^ A.
James For Daily Mail Australia
(www.dailymail.co.uk)