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Kenny (2006)

Director: Clayton Jacobson

Time Out rating

Average user rating

9 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

The increasingly popular ‘mockumentary’ approach to filmmaking has supplied us with numerous figures of fun over the past years. Convention, however, seems to dictate that the characters who populate these films must receive some sort of emotional tar-and-feathering during the proceedings, as witnessed in recent offerings by Christopher Guest and the entire sitcom output of Ricky Gervais.

It’s something of a coup, then, that ‘Kenny’– an unexpectedly charming and bitingly funny mock doc concerning the, ahem, ins and outs of a rotund, lisping portable-toilet attendant – rejects the schadenfreude so beloved of the genre in favour of fashioning a downright adorable little film. A smash hit in its native Australia, the film follows Kenny and his ‘Splashdown’ crew to numerous music festivals and sporting events. In recognition of all his good work for the company, he is sent off to the Pumper and Cleaner Expo in Nashville, Tennessee where he to strikes up a bond with a lonely air hostess. Full of deft character turns (most notably Shane Jacobson’s mesmerising, total-immersion tour de force in the title role) and some delightfully outré (though never crude) comic touches in the script, ‘Kenny’ has nothing but respect for its central character, and it’s all the better for it. Though its finely-textured humour will never have you in fits of apoplexy, the continual torrent of quality one-liners will keep you smiling from ear to ear. The realist aesthetic, too, is never undermined by plot contrivance, favouring an ambling, shaggy-dog approach to Kenny’s daily routine which in turn helps to keep the focus (as the curt title would suggest) on the man and his mucky mission.

Author: David Jenkins

Time Out London Issue 1936: September 26-October 2 2007

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User reviews of this film

Anne said...

Posted on Feb 22 2010 10:48 Funniest thing I've ever seen - some brilliant one liners such as 'struck over the head with the poo bat' and 'and madder than a clowns cock' will stay with me for quite a while. A laugh out loud comedy which makes such a change from those awful american flicks !!!

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tony said...

Posted on Oct 09 2008 15:27 This film is achingly funny, an incisive social commentary and almost a tear jerker. In years to come it will pip "Citizen Kane".

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Maria said...

Posted on Feb 27 2008 14:24 I struggled to give this film even one star as I didn't think it deserved it (the system doesn't let you give out zero ratings) I completely agree with Maisie this is the worst film I have ever seen, a complete was of money and time, I kept fast fowarding though the film to see if it improved but no, it was shockingly bad though out. You don't even have the desire to find out what happens at the end. The quote 'Funniest comedy of 2007' is this only thing that made me laugh!

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Maisie said...

Posted on Feb 16 2008 22:48 I must have been watching a different film to all the other reviewers as found this to be the dullest film I have ever seen. It was billed as 'the most hilarious film of 2007' but I had to switch it off after 15 minutes as it was like watching paint dry! Sorry but really did not get on with this one.

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Sutton said...

Posted on Nov 06 2007 13:24 An enjoyable mockumentary, insightful and heartwarming, despite the subject matter - it's worth a view, though probably worth waiting for it on dvd.

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Susan said...

Posted on Oct 15 2007 11:40 Kenny the move - Its the shit!

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Andrew said...

Posted on Oct 08 2007 06:41 I urge anyone who hasn't seen this movie to go and see it now. Its a wonderfully witty and heartwarming account of one man's struggle with daily life and work. Told in an affectionate and sharp manner, this film will have you chuckling all the way through. And thats from an ex-pat Brit down under.

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John said...

Posted on Oct 03 2007 21:28 Bought the DVD in Aus.last year as half Melbourne raved about it. Been telling people its a very funny movie, now they can see for themselves. Looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.

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Mark Lodge said...

Posted on Sep 28 2007 11:33 Christopher Guest take note, not only do you need fine observation, you need laughs. This film has both.

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