Spank Review

Vinnie - Checc Musolino - and Nick - Mario Gamma - are determined to open their own bar/coffee shop. Enter rich boy Francis - Vince Poletto - who insists on being called Rocky because he loved the film and who guarantees to find them a location in the neighbourhood. He does this by evicting the tenants of a Chinese restaurant. By this time Vinnie and Nick have joined forces with their mate Paulie - Robert Mammone - who`s just returned from a three year stint in a monastery. Unfortunately Paulie strikes a connection with Rocky`s girlfriend Jo - Victoria Dixon-Whittle... it`s no wonder she`s attracted to Paulie because Rocky is really obnoxiously over the top... This is a chaotic strangely likeable film that boasts characters that are just too unbelievable, even if you grant the film is a farce. The story is ridiculous and it`s resolved way too perfunctorily but it has an energy and some terrific performances - Vince Poletto is apparently a star on the rise and he makes Rocky work in some strange demented way. Robert Mammone and Victoria Dixon Whittle are the real grounded heart of the film but also terrific was Lucia Mastrantone as Vinnie`s down-to-earth wife. The film looks great thanks to David Foreman`s cinematography and to first time director Ernie Clark`s imaginative style.