Synopsis
Two 'very straight' old timers have to learn how to pass as a loving gay couple after falsely claiming same-sex status to take advantage of newly legislated tax laws.
2004 Directed by Dean Murphy
Two 'very straight' old timers have to learn how to pass as a loving gay couple after falsely claiming same-sex status to take advantage of newly legislated tax laws.
I Now Pronounce You Vince and Ralph, Schräge Bettgesellen, Tout ou rien, זוג לעניין, Melegházi átverés, Podatkowi desperaci, Estranha Amizade, Estranhos companheiros de cama, Странная парочка, 怪异同床人
Yikes, this aged horribly. Really digging those early 2000s homophobic undertones.
I'd personally like to apologise on behalf of my country for this film.
I showed this movie to my mother and came out to her right after -- this movie is the only reason I had the strength to do so. She said she didn't care and that she's "always loved Melissa Etheridge", but that the movie was a good segue regardless... I love this movie and the way it retains its power and positive influence despite the fact that I can't understand the dialogue. Very powerful imagery and vibes.
The plot of this is basically that of a 70s sitcom episode.. it feels that out of touch. There are some funny moments but I just felt iffy about the whole thing. It really gets too saccharine towards the end which Australian films tend to do at times. I felt like the film just perpetuates stereotypes as well. Also, I guessed the thing with the daughter straight away.
One funny thing watching now though is that Paul Hogan's character has tax issues, and years later he would go through public tax issues of his own. Heh.
Somehow feels more objectionable and mean-spirited than I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry. Gayness is, at every turn, a punchline and the stereotypes are so offensive this feels decades older than it is. Pretty hilarious that the two men are lauded in the end for their open-mindedness despite the fact they’re still claiming minority status to commit tax fraud.
18/100
a movie where two aussie blokes pretend to be gay for tax rebate or whatever. starts off fun with a few very good jokes and great chemistry from the leads but quickly becomes a drag, but an affable good-natured drag. however. paul hogan is a sexy old australian man which dovetails W my current preoccupations. if like me it's your destiny to watch every movie where straight people pretend to be gay here's another one of those
Strange Bedfellows. What about the bedfellows is strange? This movie delves into that. It is so good periodt. I watch it everyday
Although I enjoyed this film for its occa humour & comedy, it wouldn't surprise me if it's a film that won't go down to well with LGBT communities.
The story of a two Aussie blokes who pretend to be gay so they can get a around a serious Tax Bill.
The catch is they live in a town where everyone knows them and aren't that aren't that open to Same Sax Marriages. Dated Aussie Comedy that gives a few laughs but isnt too memorable at all.
So me and my friends have started a drink and watch a bad movie night, I guess it’s some kind of escapism for what’s happening in the world. This is horrible homophobic dribble from confused boomers. Its hard to believe it came out in 2004, I guess a lot has changed in 16 years. 16 years! Fuck what have I done with my life?!
The last line In this film is “This old thing?” Then he slaps him and shakes it.
When was the last time you heard the word “poof” played for laughs ? What about “pansy”? Or “fairy”? How about “pillow biter”? How about “ponce” ? This movie sucks and has a mean spirit. As a movie, as a film put together, it sucks. Then there’s the content of the movie. Far out. Australia has committed crimes of tastelessness against humanity and for this film and many others it must be punished. Homophobia is the premise, it’s the gag, it’s the punchline, and it’s the basis of the films moral lesson. This alleged comedy film is about as funny as chemotherapy. We need a people’s history of Australian cinema that reveals that shitpile that makes up most of it - one that reveals the nasty, exclusionary, cheap, conservative and cruel dimensions that constitute our ordinary national cinema.
Can you imagine pretending to be homosexual for financial gain! I guess everyone has their price and Ol Mate Hoges has a plan. Apparently if he says the magic word “poofter” often enough his money worries will disappear.
Even the stereotypes are poorly drawn...Hoges & his bro spend a night with some Sydney hedonistic gay types and there’s no drug scene , RIPPED OFF!
Like most things Ol Mate Hoges does the whole thing is nasty and cringeworthy.
This is a film I’d label a “Progressive Boomer Comedy.”
It’s a film that has good intentions. It wants to help a very specific audience understand the perspective of a marginalized group of people they’d otherwise be cruel to or judgmental of. As such, expect it to punch down a little with its cliches and stereotypes. It’s trying to speak Boomer language and help them move past prejudice.
Strange Bedfellows means to help boomers understand what it’s like to be hated for something that’s otherwise no one’s business. We are all just starving human beings struggling and experiencing life together on this great earth. To add cruelty over someone’s sexuality or body choices is, quite simply, an unnecessary waste of…