Sample People (2000)
Sample People is an upbeat dramatic thriller that follows four groups of Sydney-siders as they seek escape routes over one sweltering weekend. 'Len the dreamer' who stutters shyly just wants the gorgeous DJ Lush Puppy. Sem is a funky musician who has a premonition warning him that his girlfriend, Cleo, is in danger. He just wants to get them both out of their inner-city world. Andy is the charismatic drifter who's conned his way through life and stolen money from his boss, TT. He just wants to head up the coast with TT's girlfriend, Jess, but seems to be falling deeper into a love triangle of drugs and delusion. Finally, there's Joey, a TV affected homeboy, who reveals to his best friend Gus that he's got a gun and will use it sooner or later. The inevitable moment will arrive whin his violent gangster fantisies become reality. As the lives of our heroes become dramatically entwined, the consequences of their actions ricochet off each other.
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Redundant and unnecessary.
Good movie but grossly overrated
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
Within the first 2 minutes I have sustained a headache from the sheer crapness of it. Now I am writing this. It is just one of those really bad Australian movies which compels you to change the channel immediately, but usually you have to end up watching as nothing else is on. In the same context as one of those stupid American TV dramas (that I cant believe anyone could be bothered watching) although different.It isn't very good and that's a shame. Plus Kylie is barely in it and seems to have regressed back to her bad acting days in Neighbours.That is all. Avoid.
What a nasty cynical film. Apparently this sad excuse for a dramatic urban look at what 20 year olds do whilst crawling through the gutter of Sydney nightlife is supposed to be somehow connecting with its target market. Made by some Industry nobody and pals who seemingly thought they could cobble together any sleazy behavior with a young cast and pour it into multiplexes, SAMPLE PEOPLE deservedly failed miserably at the Australian box office. It is so offensive in its clichéd depictions of obvious and easy targets it was fully rejected by the very audience it was intended. Shoddy and cruel and with no attempt to offer quality or resonance to the young audience who might have been attracted by the marketing or casting SAMPLE PEOPLE might have been interesting or even informative if not botched by its exploitive view of 'what teens want to see in a movie'. The character played by Ben Mendelsohn is particularly offensive and Kylie Minogue is again wasted by poor material and untalented film makers. It is as if the producers thought teens would watch any ugly trash and just slung-together scenes and characters who were shallow and soul less. Well the were very wrong. A mini budget film made in 1983 called GOING DOWN got this topic right and is an excellent antidote to this poison.
I personally found this movie to be very entertaining with some some stand out performances by fairly unknown actors. If your watching it for the star value of Kylie don't bother cause her performance isn't anything to rave about. The sound, color are excellent and well blended. There are also some powerful underlying messages about drugs violence and the rave culture which makes this movie a little different from your run of the mill crap, in my mind this is a cult Aussie classic. Just because it doesn't have a big budget or a Black and White - spelled out for you story to follow don't overlook it. Expect a feverish mix of sex, drugs, music, violence and young party people seeking a good time.
Isn't a sample what a doctor gets you to take to the lab when you've had food poisoning? Ideal name for the movie. This movie had too much blood, too many people getting shot and then being fine. Kylie Minogue's character didn't let her act as well as we've seen her in (even) Neighbours. The best character seemed to be Phil, the Indian kebab shop owner, mainly because he stayed out of trouble. I don't think I'll try to see this one again.