Mental
Starring: Toni Collette, Rebecca Gibney, Anthony LaPaglia,
Director: P.J. Hogan
Reviewed by Danielle Muir

[rating: 4/5]

You know when the double act of P.J Hogan and Toni Collette decide to collaborate once again that an Australian icon is in the works.  The catch-cry of “You’re terrible Muriel!” has virtually become a quote staple of local and international comedy history.  18 years later they’ve swapped Porpoise Spit for Dolphin Heads in their latest collaboration, Mental, and the charm hasn’t aged a day.

Suburban life in Dolphin Heads pristine and pleasant – with the exception of the Moochmores.  Crackpot-with-a-heart-of-gold Shirley (Gibney) has a rampant obsession with The Sound of Music, and also attempting to wrangle her five ratbag daughters.  However, she finally pushes it too far in the mother of all shopping sprees, and is sent to ‘Wooloongong’ leaving her bunch of wannabe lunatic children fending for themselves.  Their father, the Mayor running for re-election, can’t cope with not having the football team of boys he always desired, and picks up hitchhiker Shaz who bursts into the household with her unorthodox methods and desire to fulfil her destiny.

Mental has a distinct Australian charm that isn’t gimmicky, or so stereotypically Aussie it makes you cringe.  The girls’ performances are fresh, and at some points truly stunning when you learn of their limited/non-existent acting experience, in particular Michelle – the burgeoning schizophrenic.  They’re manic, young, undomesticated and totally at home in their own perceived insanity.  They stand on par with the powerhouse that is Toni Collette – she bursts in like a pot-smoking knife-wielding freight train and doesn’t let up.  Totally unashamed and unforgiving, her grasp on the concept of crazy helps the girls find their own way.  Gibney is delightfully loopy as Shirley and the best cameo is by far Deborah Mailman as an off-kilter mental patient.  There are no weak performances, another reason why Mental shines.

This film actually pushes the boundaries in some cases more than you would expect.  Some of the gags way oversteps what I anticipated in the lewd/crude category, both in terms of language and the disgust factor.  It’s rated MA for a reason.  The comedic elements make you chuckle rather than burst out laughing (with a few memorable exceptions) but it’s the dramatic performances that really packs a punch.  There was more than a few sobs to be heard in the cinema, and re-enforces just how lucky we are to witness emotional powerhouse that is Toni Collette.

It was a tad long, with a noticeable drag about three-quarters in and the ending will definitely rub some the wrong way.  But the comedic, colourful and brash smack in the face you’ve just experienced makes it all worthwhile.  But it may turn you off children.

Mental is destined to have Muriel’s Wedding comparisons made, and in the 2000s probably won’t reach iconic status as the latter did.  But it is a wonderful, unique Australian comedy that you don’t have to be mad to enjoy.

But it helps.

Mental releases is in cinemas now.

We now have 5 in-season double passes to give away to Mental, courtesy of Universal Pictures. To win a double send an email with your best postal address to and put ‘Mental’ in the subject line. To win a pass tell us the name of the film where PJ Hogan and Toni Collette first worked together.