The Castle Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A stubbornly optimistic Aussie dad, living next to an airport, refuses to move his family from their beloved, slightly dilapidated house, leading to a showdown with the government because serenity.

🍿 The Castle: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introducing the Kerrigans

The Kerrigan family lives a simple, happy life in their home near the Melbourne airport. Narrated by Dale, the youngest son, the film introduces each family member and their unique quirks, showcasing their strong bond and appreciation for the simple things. They are a close-knit working-class family content with their modest lifestyle.

The Compulsory Acquisition Notice

Their peaceful existence is disrupted when they receive a notice of compulsory acquisition from the government, intending to expand the airport. The Kerrigans, particularly Darryl, the father, are devastated at the prospect of losing their beloved home. They decide to fight the acquisition, believing in the importance of their home and the injustice of the situation.

Taking on the System

Darryl seeks legal assistance from Dennis Denuto, a family friend and solicitor specializing in minor cases. Dennis proves to be out of his depth, but Darryl remains optimistic. The Kerrigans’ fight gains local support, highlighting the community’s shared frustration with the government’s actions. Despite initial setbacks in court, Darryl remains determined, believing in the principle that ‘a man’s home is his castle’.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton): A devoted family man who fights to save his beloved home from being acquired for airport expansion.
• Sal Kerrigan (Anne Tenney): Darryl’s supportive and loving wife, who is known for her simple but cherished cooking.
• Dale Kerrigan (Stephen Curry): The Kerrigan’s youngest son, who narrates the story and admires his family’s way of life.
• Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora): The Kerrigan’s initially inept solicitor, who tries his best to help them fight their case.
• Lawrence Hammill (Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell): A retired barrister who provides crucial legal expertise to the Kerrigans’ fight.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Darryl Kerrigan: “How’s the serenity?” – Darryl frequently asks this, enjoying the peacefulness he finds in his somewhat unconventional surroundings near the airport.
• Darryl Kerrigan: “It’s not a house, it’s a home. A man’s home is his castle.” – Darryl passionately defends his connection to his property, emphasizing its value beyond just bricks and mortar.
• Dennis Denuto: “It’s just the vibe of the thing.” – Dennis, the Kerrigan’s unqualified lawyer, attempts to argue their case based on intangible feelings rather than legal precedent.
• Darryl Kerrigan: “Tell ’em they’re dreamin’.” – Darryl’s dismissive response to an offer he considers far too low for his property.
• Dale Kerrigan: “[voiceover] Dad reckoned that the house was worth more than what they were offering, because of its location. ‘Location, location, location!’” – Dale describes his dad’s unshakable belief that being next to the airport is a huge advantage.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $750,000
• Domestic Gross: $877,621
• Worldwide Gross: $893,748

💥 The Castle Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore ‘The Castle’! From the opening scene, I was hooked by the Kerrigan family’s unwavering optimism and genuine love for each other. The courtroom scenes are hilarious, especially Dennis Denuto’s attempts at legal arguments. The film’s message about the importance of home and family really resonated with me. This one’s going straight to the pool room!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Australian comedy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy heartwarming family stories”
  • “Those interested in legal dramas with an underdog theme”
  • “People who appreciate films about community and fighting for one’s rights”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild coarse language”
  • “Brief references to criminal activity”
  • “Some cultural stereotypes (though generally used in a self-deprecating manner)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A minor, lackluster entry in the offbeat working-class comedy genre. It mistakes quirkiness for humor and fails to deliver consistent laughs, relying too heavily on caricatures.
• Sydney Morning Herald: “A quintessentially Australian comedy that perfectly captures the spirit of the ‘battler’. Its charm lies in its unpretentious humor and the warmth of its characters. A true Aussie classic.
• Empire Magazine: “Though undeniably funny, some of the humor may be lost on international audiences due to its strong Australian cultural references. Still, the film’s heart and underdog spirit make it a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

The Kerrigan family’s unwavering love for each other is heartwarming and inspiring.: Viewers love the film’s authentic portrayal of Australian working-class life and the relatable characters.

Dennis Denuto’s legal incompetence is a source of endless laughter.: Many find the film’s humor to be uniquely Australian and endearingly quirky.

Overall Consensus: A beloved Australian comedy that resonates with audiences due to its heartwarming story, relatable characters, and uniquely Australian humor. While some international viewers may find it difficult to understand due to cultural context, the film’s universal themes of home and family make it a classic.

Awards

1. Australian Film Institute Awards (Best Original Screenplay)- 1997
2. Australian Film Institute Awards (Best Actor in a Leading Role)- 1997

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The family name ‘Kerrigan’ was chosen because the production used a real towing company called Kerrigan’s Towing and borrowing their trucks saved the production money.”
• “The film was shot in just 11 days due to budget constraints.”
• “The script was heavily improvised by the actors, contributing to the film’s natural and uniquely Australian humor.”
• “After some mixed sneak previews in the USA, the distributor Miramax ordered some changes to the film’s dialogue for the USA release and a new music score. The dialogue changes included replacing the words ‘cladding’ with ‘siding’, ‘petrol station’ with ‘gas station’, ‘rissoles’ with ‘meatloaf’, ‘tertiary education’ with ‘college education’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Castle?

As an Australian film, ‘The Castle’ can be found on various streaming platforms depending on your region. Check local streaming services like Stan or ABC iView in Australia. For international viewers, look for it on platforms that offer Australian content or consider purchasing a digital copy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Castle, you might like these similar films:

• The Dish (2000): Another heartwarming Australian comedy directed by Rob Sitch, focusing on a small town’s involvement in a major historical event, showcasing the charm and spirit of ordinary Australians.
• Waking Ned Devine (1998): Shares a similar theme of a close-knit community coming together against external forces, with quirky characters and feel-good humor.
• Local Hero (1983): A quirky, character-driven film about a small Scottish village dealing with the intrusion of a large corporation, similar to The Castle’s theme of the individual versus the powerful.
• Pride (2014): A British film based on a true story, showcasing how two very different communities came together to fight a shared struggle, much like how The Castle portrays the community rallying to support the Kerrigans.

🛒 The Castle Related Products

• The Castle – DVD: Own the quintessential Australian comedy on DVD. Relive the Kerrigan family’s battle to save their home with crystal-clear visuals and sound.
• “How’s the Serenity?” T-Shirt: Show your love for ‘The Castle’ with this hilarious and iconic quote printed on a high-quality, comfortable t-shirt. Available in various sizes and colors.
• The Castle: The Screenplay: Go behind the scenes with the complete screenplay of ‘The Castle’, featuring insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes stories from the writers and cast.
• “The Castle” Movie Poster: Decorate your home or office with a high-quality reproduction of the original ‘The Castle’ movie poster. Printed on durable paper with vibrant colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Castle features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” – performed by Alison Krauss
• “Hold Your Head Up” – performed by Argent

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Castle Movie Highlights

Want to relive the funniest moments from ‘The Castle’? This highlight reel is a perfect reminder of why this movie is an Aussie classic; I still laugh every time I watch it.

Quentin Tarantino’s Top Australian Films

Ever wondered what Quentin Tarantino thinks of Australian cinema? He shares his favorite Aussie films, and it’s fascinating to hear his perspective; I was surprised by some of his choices!

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