Kath & Kimderella

Kath & Kimderella is a delightful Australian comedy film released in 2012. This film is an adaptation of the acclaimed Australian television sitcom "Kath & Kim" and brings back the beloved, quirky characters: Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner), Kim Craig (Gina Riley), Sharon Strzelecki (Magda Szubanski), as well as their better halves, Brett Craig (Peter Rowsthorn) and Kel Knight (Glenn Robbins).

Directed by Ted Emery, the movie remains faithful to the sitcom's trademark humor, consistent character development, and unique plot devices. Written by Gina Riley, Jane Turner, and Magda Szubanski, it maintains the comedic style of the television series while broadening the boundaries by shifting the setting from suburban Australia to an overseas location, thus making room for new, hilarious scenarios.

In Kath & Kimderella, we see the marvelous everyday life of the Day-Knight family take an unexpected turn as they win a trip to the exotic kingdom of Papilloma, on Italy's heel. As they exchange their suburban lifestyle for a sojourn in a lush foreign land, the characters must navigate this unknown world with their common sense and humor.

Kath Day-Knight, the relentlessly optimistic and adoring mother, played by Jane Turner, is excited about this dream holiday. She is ready to embrace this new adventure, equipped with her bubbly personality, lust for life, and killer fashion sense. Kath's self-obsessed daughter Kim, portrayed by Gina Riley, is less thrilled about the travel opportunity as she contemplates the potential frustrations and inconveniences.

At the same time, the lovable sports fanatic and Kim’s second-best friend, Sharon Strzelecki, is also part of this unexpected journey. Magda Szubanski, who gives Sharon life on screen, brings her renowned sense of comic timing and physical comedy to the character, making her a familiar favorite in the most unlikely of settings.

On arrival in Papilloma, the sitcom family is enveloped in a fairytale plot reminiscent of Cinderella but with a unique "Kath & Kim" twist. Essentially, they find themselves involved in a plot of mistaken identity, unrequited love, betrayal, and potential royal shenanigans. The sublime comic synergy among characters, infused with the eccentricities of the foreign milieu, escalates the humor, providing non-stop laughter and entertainment.

Kath & Kimderella stands out with its slapstick humor, picturesque settings, and wacky plot twists. It features the original cast from the TV series, which is one of its strengths as the chemistry between key performers is well established and harmonized. Jane Turner and Gina Riley, in their leads, demonstrate a consistent grip on their characters, delivering the dialogue and nuanced behaviors that have made these characters favorites among sitcom fans.

The movie employs an infusion of Australian vernacular, middle-brow references, and suburban life satire, emphasizing the humor and charm familiar to fans of the original series. In addition to the engaging narrative, Kath & Kimderella is adorned with eclectic ensembles worn by the leading ladies, turning their fashion eccentricities into a running visual gag throughout the film.

In the heart of the journey lies a heart-warming mother-daughter bond, whose dynamics, along with the relationships with their men and best friend, Sharon, comprise the relational subplots that drive the narrative. Throughout all the misunderstandings, absurd incidents, and comic misadventures, what remains constant is the unshakeable bond between the characters, whose love and loyalty to each other form the emotional core of this raucous comedy.

Kath & Kimderella celebrates the spirit of 'the everyday' and 'the ordinary' with its humor and wit. It is a tribute to the simplicity and charm of suburban life, which, when thrust into extraordinary circumstances, sings an amusing tune of laughter. It enchants fans with its cheeky, bitingly funny dialogues, larger-than-life characters, a tale of mundane turned ludicrous, all brought to life through brilliant performances and well-crafted narratives laced with the TV show's signature humor.

The film is rated PG-13 and runs for approximately 86 minutes, promising belly laughs and a joyful ride through suburban Australian charm wrapped in a Cinderella-like fairy tale. This movie is perfect for lovers of the original sitcom, along with anyone who appreciates comedic satire intermingled with heartfelt character relationships.