Strange Bedfellows [M]

Vince and Ralph are two old mates living happily in country town Australia. Ralph’s a widower with a grown daughter whilst Vince is a divorcee. Upon receiving news that his ex-wife has financially screwed him over, Vince hatches a plan to take advantage of a newly legislated tax law for same-sex couples. Roping Ralph into the plot with him, the two very straight old timers must learn to be a loving gay couple for an impending interview confirming their same-sex status before being able to claim the tax. 

A gorgeous little Aussie sleeper that snuck in under the radar amidst the bourgeoning homosexual comedy subgenre, Strange Bedfellows is a funny and touching little story about mateship, love, and acceptance. Driven by memorable performances and a simple but nonetheless timeless, fish-out-of-water story, it’s a film that takes a comfortable seat in Australia’s filmic repertoire and holds just as much enjoyment for contemporary audiences as it does for the older generations. 

Vince and Ralph are two old mates living happily in country town Australia. Ralph’s a widower with a grown daughter whilst Vince is a divorcee. Upon receiving news that his ex-wife has financially screwed him over, Vince hatches a plan to take advantage of a newly legislated tax law for same-sex couples. Roping Ralph into the plot with him, the two very straight old timers must learn to be a loving gay couple for an impending interview confirming their same-sex status before being able to claim the tax. 

Whilst the countryman out of his depth in the space of the big, and in this case gay, city story is as old as the hills, Strange Bedfellows breathes a new life into the tale by twisting it into a story of incredible mateship with the acceptance of the ‘Other’ story running steadily parallel. Already displaying a classic ‘mateship’, Vince and Ralph’s friendship is further evolved and strengthened through their interactions with gay men, tastes of gay culture, and the realisation that although sexual tendencies may differ, there is a strong sameness about all these colourful characters. 

Although Paul Hogan plays a very good straight man immersing himself within gay culture, maybe getting a little too much into it, the show ultimately belongs to Michael Caton as Ralph. Michael’s biting timing blended with his fantastically ‘Aussie’ voice provides the film with much of its comedy and his character is really the one that comes away having gained more from the experience than Vince. 

Starring Alan Cassell, Andy Pappas, Paula Duncan, Roy Billing, Jamie Robertson, Kevin Dee, Stewart Faichney, Shane Maughan, Kestie Morassi, Christopher Kirby, Michael Carman, Rob Carlton (who was born to be in drag I think, he looked amazing), and Pete Postlethwaite, Strange Bedfellows is a wonderful little film filled with colourful characters, friendship, drama, and transformation. As well as jabbing some memorable comedic pot shots, the film tells a wonderfully touching little story and it’s highly enjoyable.