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Kenny [2007] [2006]
![Kenny [2007] [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CBxPhLTjL._SL160_.jpg)
The film is a spoof documentary surrounding plumber Kenny Smyth, played by Shane Jacobson. Building its character up carefully and diligently, Kenny then takes us through the lows (unpleasant father, equally unpleasant ex-wife, not altogether pleasant job), and then better days. These come when Kenny heads off to the International Pumper & Cleaner Expo in America, and while we won't spoil what happens here, it's a well-told, rounded story that emerges. There are plenty of reasons to like Kenny, and its lead actor is one of the main ones. Shane Jacobson's performance is strong and engaging, capturing the optimistic outlook of the central character very well. The film is then directed by Shane's brother, Clayton, and his work too is full of promise. Mock documentaries haven't been scarce in recent times, yet the two Jacobsons nonetheless carve out a warm and engaging story within the confines of the genre. Kenny isn't a film without a couple of problems, and there are a couple of lulls that come with the journey. But it's a film with a rounded central character who you'll laugh at, care about, and ultimately, enjoy spending time with. An easy recommendation. --Jon Foster
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £6.63 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's been a while since the dependable Australian movie industry served up another of the quirky, enjoyable comedies it became famed for in the 1990s. But Kenny proves that there's no shortage of talent down under, with a well put together marriage of comedy and drama that pays off handsomely.
Tedious mockumentary
Review date: 2008-05-09 Rating: 2 out of 10
Kenny is from the genre made famous by The Office, though without any of the nuances or subtleties that made that series so brilliantly funny. Quite what it adds to the so-called silver screen is beyond me.
If it was real it might have made an adequete satellite TV series to be squirreled away late in the schedules; as a work of comedy it is like one of those appalling ITV programmes that are suddenly dropped after one dismal showing.
The scenario is this: Kenny is a gauche, Ozzy bloke, a bit of a lad, and he runs a portaloo company. So his inherent vulgarity can be mixed with lots of musing on pooh. It's as simple and abysmal a proposition as that.
It's banal, unfunny and, quite frankly, a pile of excrement as a film: One to be avoided unless you find pooh jokes funny.
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Reviews
Would not recommend......
Review date: 2008-05-04 Rating: 2 out of 10
I really wanted to like this film, because I tend to go for films that are a bit 'different', but I was bored after ten minutes. Kenny is a likeable character, but there is no way I'd call this a comedy. Me and my boyfriend didn't laugh once during the film. I was tempted to turn it off but I kept watching hoping it would improve, especially after reading some of the reviews.......unfortunately it didn't get any better. Personally I found Kenny a disappointment and would not recommend it, it wasn't a particularly sad film, or a funny film, or a moving film, it just wasn't anything really. We all have different ideas of what a comedy should be like, but to label people who didn't like this film as ignorant in your reviews is a bit narrow minded, I totally understood the point they were trying to get across, it just wasn't that entertaining or funny.
A film of 2 halves.... worth a rent but not a keeper
Review date: 2008-03-10 Rating: 6 out of 10
I saw some glowing reviews for this film and I was looking forward to seeing it. But if it hadn't been for Amazon Vine giving me this DVD in exchange for a review I would have stopped the film 45 mins in and never watched the rest. Which is a shame because it gets much better during the second half. It's not that the film is particularly offensive or terrible, but there just isn't much to it. The first half feels like an over long sketch from a TV show; the few supporting characters have very little to do and seem to just be there to set up more excrement related one-liners from the main character. It just doesn't work and I can't imagine anybody being able to maintain their enthusiasm for it, no matter how committed they may be to toilet humour as a way of life.
During the second half Kenny travels to the USA, has a romantic interest then tries to relate to his distant and disapproving father and his estranged son. All of which adds some much needed depth and makes `Kenny' a very sympathetic character. By the end of the movie I was on his side and enjoying myself. But taken as a whole this film fails to deliver.
The DVD cover states that Kenny was the best comedy of 2007, I really can't understand why and how anybody could think that. If you are in the mood for some independent comedy from the Southern hemisphere I would recommend Jermain Clement in Eagle Vs Shark over Kenny any day of the week.
Clean Toilet Humour
Review date: 2008-03-04 Rating: 8 out of 10
Another addition to the ever expanding waistline of fake comedy documentaries. This time we get to spy on Kenny, a portaloo delivery man, as tries to make the most of life. There's very little in the way of toilet humour in "Kenny", instead Clayton Jacorbson paints a surprisingly tender picture of a sweet man with an unmoveably positive worldview. His life is literally s**t but nothing gets him down. The opening ten minutes are a little hard to understand what with Kenny's lisp, thick accent and (purposely) poorly recorded sound but once you get by this you are rewarded with a original and funny slab of entertainment. A massively uplifting experience.
Toilet Humour!
Review date: 2008-02-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
If you like this then you'll really like it. It has an endearing quality and the mock documentary style is fantastically realistic. If you're not into 'toilet humour' then you probably wouldn't be amused.
I found the fun more in the mock documentary style and the delivery of 'Kenny' - you could really buy into the whole thing.
Enjoyable but not a movie of any real depth. However - did you really expect it to be!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Shane Jacobson
Chris Davis
Alf Scerri
Travis Golland
Hayley Preusker
Director(s):
Recording label: Contender Entertainment Group
Manufacturer: Contender Entertainment Group
EAN: 5030305511890
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-01-21
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)