Film review: Oddball

Oddball. Rated G. 95 minutes. Directed by Stuart McDonald. Screenplay by Peter Ivan.

Based on the true story of Warrnambool chicken farmer Swampy Marsh (played by Shane Jacobson) and Oddball, his Maremma Sheepdog, who together saved a vulnerable penguin colony from complete devastation, Oddball is a delightful little gem of film.

Middle Island, just off the south-western coast of Victoria, is home to a penguin colony that was originally cared for by Swampy’s late wife. Their daughter Emily (Sarah Snook) who inherited her mother’s passion for preserving the penguin colony, is horrified to discover that the population is suddenly being decimated by marauding foxes. If the penguin population falls below ten, the local council plans to shut it down and open a whale-watching visitor centre in its place.

Oddball is introduced as a ‘fairytale’, and the terrific cast play Ivan’s classically structured and involving screenplay for all it’s worth. It’s great to see Jacobson, who first came to prominence in the break-out hit Kenny (2006), on the big screen again, and his performance is pitch perfect. Jacobson is quite possibly one of the most under-rated actors in the country, and his big-hearted Swampy Marsh is a marvellously entertaining character.

Jacobson receives excellent support from Coco Jack Gillies as his granddaughter Olivia, and their shared passion for doing all that it takes to save the penguin colony never feels contrived or anything less than completely genuine. But the undeniable stars of the film are the little cast of penguins, who, courtesy of penguin trainers Katie Brock and John Medland, are guaranteed to waddle and squeak their way into your heart.

Beautifully shot by cinematographer Damian Wyvill, this is a refreshingly unpretentious film, with the perfect blend of comedy, drama and romance that the whole family can simply sit back, relax and enjoy.

This review was commissioned by the West Australian Newspaper Group.