Les Patterson Saves the World

Hated on release and possibly the catalyst for major changes to film tax subsidies in Oz, resulting in a significant decline in private investment over the ensuing decade, Les Patterson was an anachronistic throwback to the vulgar comedies of the 70s and a complete rejection of the pandering 'friendliness' endemic to cultural exports of the period. On that level, it is strangely respectable, but it's rather shapeless and not consistently funny or outrageous enough to recommend unreservedly.

It's a shame Barry Humphries' infamous Sir Les Patterson character had his film debut in this under cooked spy/comedy. A parallel could be drawn between this and the Beatty/Hoffman stinker, "Ishtar": the first 20 minutes or so offer a promise of something original but it soon descend into a dull espionage comedy. The gross-out humor was funnier in the Barry Mackenzie movies - here it's groan inducing. Skip this and watch a video of Humphries' stage show instead.