TV
The Wrong Mans | ABC1, March 12, 10pm
When broken-hearted council worker Sam (Mathew Baynton) witnesses a spectacular car crash on his way to work, he is drawn into a Hitchcockian conspiracy involving a kidnapped wife, a lost phone and several mistaken identities. Sam is, clearly, out of his depth. But we get the feeling that is somewhere he is used to being – he’s the sort of appealing, somewhat gormless no-hoper the Brits do so well. When he meets the even-more-hopeless but enthusiastic Phil (James Corden), the pair embark on an unlikely mission to save a beautiful woman, probably.
Inspired equally by slacker bromance Shaun of the Dead and thrillers such as Homeland, this is a funny comedy with a complex, breathless plot. Shaun is an apt comparison, I feel, because there’s a cinematic energy to the production that recalls the work of that film’s director, Edgar Wright. Baynton is immediately endearing, looking something like a hungover meerkat as he stumbles from one near-disaster to the next. His partner Corden (most recently seen in opera flick One Chance) is as engaging as always, his daft-sidekick patter reminiscent of a less-irritating Ricky Gervais. Together, the pair might just delude themselves into becoming heroes. Sharp, clever and genuinely hilarious, this is a darkly comic gem.
EXHIBITION
Emily Floyd: Far Rainbow | Heide, March 15 – July 13, free with entry
This year, Heide celebrates 80 years with an exhibition program that promises to highlight its unique artistic and social history. First up is Far Rainbow, an exhibition drawing from the past decade of work by contemporary Melbourne artist Emily Floyd. The title is taken from a Soviet-era sci-fi story about a distant, imaginary and perfect world, which gives us a sense of Floyd’s fixations. Her work is heavily influenced by utopian thinking, radical modernity, activism and alternative education. Floyd is known for her large-scale sculptures that reference old-fashioned toys, such as those used in Steiner schools.
MUSIC
Heroes + Misfits | Kris Bowers (Universal)
New York pianist Kris Bowers describes himself as a musical omnivore. On listening to his debut LP, it’s hard to disagree. Musicians are forever overstating their eclecticism, but Bowers’ take on piano jazz is one fed by a love of film scores, ’70s synth-soul and ’90s hip-hop. Purists might baulk at this free-ranging approach to their genre, but there’s no doubting Bowers’ talent for jazz is immense and sincere. The 10 tracks here draw equally on Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson and Miles Davis (with a dash of Kanye West, perhaps). The laid-back WonderLove is Sunday afternoon R&B, Drift is hypnotic and atmospheric, and #TheProtester is sprawling and chaotic – a glorious mess, evoking Bitches Brew.
FILM
The Monuments Men | Opens March 13, Rated M, 118 min
Hollywood seems to be running out of ways to tell stories about Nazis. In the wake of a limp adaptation of The Book Thief comes this tale of wartime art theft and desecration. George Clooney recruits an all-star cast of middle-aged pals in an attempt to prevent Hitler stocking his private museum with Europe’s greatest treasures. This rag-tag bunch have been left behind by the war – too old, too infirm or too drunk to be heroes. Seizing their last chance, they undertake basic training and infiltrate occupied France.
The core premise should, at least, make for a fascinating tour over familiar ground. As it is, Clooney’s film feels like reheated leftovers from far finer meals. Its scattered collection of sentimental scenes never quite resolve into a coherent story. Part of the problem is the film resists its potential silliness, mistaking itself for something much worthier. This should be a more convincing version of Indiana Jones 4, with the archaeologists racing cartoon Nazis and Russians. Instead, it plays out as a lightweight Saving Private Ryan.
Rife with clichés, The Monuments Men left me wondering why we’re still making World War II films. With recent examples merely recycling or renovating old tales, maybe it’s time Hollywood – and the rest of us – finally moved on.
PLAY
PLAYlist | donkey wheel house, Kinfolk Café, 673 Bourke Street, Melbourne, March 14, 7pm
Some of Melbourne’s best writers, including Joanna Murray-Smith, Marieke Hardy and Tim Rogers will contribute playlets for this one-night-only theatre event. Each writer has chosen a favourite love song and written a piece inspired by it – the catch being that their playlet can only be as long as the song itself. The evening will see 13 playlets performed. Staged by the Red Stitch ensemble (and special guests) in the cosy surroundings of Kinfolk Café, PLAYlist aims to raise money to help continue the St Kilda-based company’s excellent work.
GIG
Tales In Space | Torquay Hotel, March 15, 8pm, $13.50
Sydney electro-pop duo Tales In Space recently launched their latest big single, All Messed Up. To celebrate, they’re stopping by Geelong as part of a month-long national tour. Last year’s Shades won the group plenty of airplay (and even some awards) with its slick mix of Strokes-style indie and dancey trimmings. Fans of bands such as Hot Chip, Art vs. Science and Dappled Cities would do well to check them out. A debut album is promised for this year.
MYKE’S SPACE
Watching | Portlandia. (ABC2, Mondays). This hipster-comedy only has one joke but it’s somehow made it work for four seasons. This new, fast-tracked series has added some big names.
Listening | Angel Olsen. Burn Your Fire For No Witness. Beautiful, spectral and surprisingly powerful alt-country.
Attending | Festival of Live Art. (March 14-30). The next three weeks sees 40 live art events scattered across venues in Footscray, North Melbourne, St Kilda and the city.
