Walk The Talk Review

Joey Grasso, Salvatore Coco, is a hustler, but he`s supremely self confident in his own judgment and ability. For him, there`s no such thing as failure, even though he`s served a prison term already. Joey lives with Bonita, Sacha Horler, in a Gold Coast apartment; Bonita was paid a million dollars after the accident that crippled her. When Joey meets Nikki, Nikki Bennett, at a self-motivational seminar, he believes he`s discovered a talent. Nikki, like herfather, is a singer - except that she`s not a very good one. Joey can`t see that her talents are modest; with Bonita`s money, he establishes a talent agency with Nikki as his sole client - he`s going to make things happen.. WALK THE TALK is the second feature film from the talented Shirley Barrett, whose first, LOVE SERENADE, won the Camera d`Or in Cannes a few years ago. This film, too, isabout marginalised people who don`t really know they`re marginalised; Joey is so overwhelmingly sure of himself he just won`t take No for an answer. Rather like Walter Matthau in THE FORTUNE COOKIE, Joey is ruthless in pursuing his goals; but unlikeMatthau, he`s not as successful as he thinks he is. Coco gives a wonderfully truthful performance, ably supported by Nikki Bennett (in real life a talented singer and entertainer),Sacha Horler and a gallery of wonderful characters in supporting roles - I especially loved Jon English as a record producer. Barrett and dp Mandy Walker have a keen eye for thecolours and quirks of the back streets of the Gold Coast, especially those amazing clubs. WALK THE TALK has a lot to say about Australian society, and says it in a funny, touching,truthful way.