Not Suitable for Children

Not Suitable for Children is an alluring Australian romantic comedy-drama from 2012, directed by Peter Templeman and written by Michael Lucas. The movie features a superstar cast of Ryan Kwanten, Sarah Snook, and Ryan Corr, who turn in outstanding performances that intricately balance humor, emotion, and a refreshing honesty.

Set in the vibrant city of Sydney, the movie revolves around Jonah (Ryan Kwanten), a young, free-spirited playboy who's living his life to the fullest. Jonah spends his days embarking on countless adventures, throwing wild parties at the house he shares with his best mates, Stevie (Sarah Snook) and Gus (Ryan Corr). Their lives are an endless celebration of youth and freedom - until Jonah is hit with a game-changing medical diagnosis.

Jonah discovers that he has testicular cancer and will become infertile once he undergoes surgery. This unexpected news kicks off an unlikely journey for Jonah, morphing the playboy into a desperate man on a mission to become a father before his window of opportunity closes forever. Not ready to let fatherhood slip away, Jonah decides to take control of his destiny. The headlong pursuit of seeding a child unfolds a quirky, albeit touching story, incremental in Jonah's self-discovery and realization of what he truly values in life.

The story further dives into exploring a complicated, often awkward quest as Jonah, in his desperate plight to become a father, approaches women from his past and complete strangers with the unlikely proposition. The process yields several hilarious, heartbreaking and enlightening scenarios, touching on themes of friendship, love, and the universal Yearning to leave a marker in the world that somewhat represents our existence.

Throughout his journey, Jonah's platonic roommate and best friend, Stevie, stands as a strong support system. Sarah Snook, as Stevie, delivers an exceptional performance of an independent, brooding, and complex woman dealing with her own set of uncertainties - balancing her career and life. Watching Jonah's turmoil unfold initiates changes in Stevie too, compelling the audience to witness the evolution of their relationship.

Ryan Corr, portraying Gus, skilfully walks the tightrope between comic relief and emotional backup to his friend's crisis. He provides great support to Jonah in his absurd, and often humorous, attempts at accelerated fatherhood. Throughout the movie, Gus's character reinforces the notion of true friendship and loyalty.

Not Suitable for Children effectively tackles its premise without resorting to overt sentimentality. The film's strength lies in its ability to effortlessly oscillate between humor and poignancy, without losing sight of its core narrative. Kwanten gives a heart-touching performance as his character embarks on an emotional roller-coaster journey from a carefree bachelor to a man obsessed with his ticking biological clock.

The movie also efficiently captures the essence of the Sydney's party culture, with its pulsing soundtrack and edgy cinematography making it visually appealing. However, at its heart, Not Suitable for Children is a poignant exploration of friendship, love, maturity, and coming to terms with one's own mortality.

Director Peter Templeman treats a serious subject with a light hand, smartly scribbling his characters' emotional evolution through a quirky premise. The movie may launch with a party-hard theme, but it does so only to subtly explore the existential dread that comes with maturity and commitment. An absolutely enjoyable and engaging film, Not Suitable for Children is a fresh take on romantic comedies and includes enough twists to keep it from being predictable, while also effortlessly keeping it grounded in reality.

Overall, Not Suitable for Children is a charming, emotionally resonant film that touches on life’s deeper issues with grace, humor, and honesty. It is a narrative driven by compelling performances from Kwanten, Snook and Corr, a thoughtful script and a perfect balance of humor and heartfelt emotion. It's definitely not your average romantic comedy, but rather an exploration of life's unexpected turns, relationships, and how maturity and perspective reshape our definitions of love and existence.