"Kenny"

nik.mercer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:14:22 -0700

We all have a Kenny in our lives: the guy who’s always optimistic about everything; the guy who will brighten your day by spitting off one joke after another; the guy who always knows what to say to make you feel better in the worst of situations. The title character in the Australian mockumentary Kenny, is just that sort of bloke, although more than likely, the Kenny you know doesn’t clean up poo for a living.

Written by the Jacobson Brothers, directed by Clayton Jacobson, the film follows Kenny Smyth, a hard-working, laid-back rent-a-toilet guy—or plumber, as he likes to call himself—who despite dealing with rude employers, rowdy customers or his neurotic and aggressive co-workers, never turns sour. In fact, he makes his job sound bearable and at times even enjoyable, that is, if you can deal with delving into a heap of human waste gloveless to retrieve a thankless poopers wedding ring.

Well crafted, Kenny never crosses into the obvious Farrelly zone the circumstances of the film seem ripe for. Instead, it maintains its believability, hugely in part to a pitch perfect performance by Shane Jacobson as the title character and heart of the film. His humble manner never wanes as he shovels literal shit and contends with an overly critical and dying father, a narcissistic ex-wife, and a condescending brother. At times his selflessness becomes a curse—like when he decides to bring his drunken friend home rather than get one more drink with a pretty stewardess—he could not be any other way. Kenny inspires tolerance and at the finish leaves you thinking “what the fuck am I always whining about” because although he may not always be doing exactly what he wants, he manages to always make shit into sunshine.

After much acclaim upon it’s release in Australia and the U.K., it opens in limited release here Stateside on July 18.