First Review: The King

Talk about ambitious.

We all knew and loved Graham Kennedy the performer. On In Melbourne Tonight, Blankety Blanks, Coast to Coast and even Funniest Home Videos he is burned into our minds and hearts as television history. Daring to depict his life as a biopic is treacherous territory, especially one so recent.

Pivotal to all of this is the casting of Kennedy. Without a convincing central character there is no point to even try to understand the man. Yet how can anyone capture such a unique individual: Kennedy was the court jester, the ultimate improviser, the ratbag larrikin who adhered to none.

The King directed by Matt Saville for TV1 is an outstanding achievement. And Stephen Curry as Kennedy is a knockout.

Curry captures the vocal nuances of Kennedy to a tee. He has the lilt in his voice, the spring in his step, the tongue in his cheek (literally), the camp buffonery and the “bugger you lot” attitude for which he is known. And most essentially, he is very, very funny.

As the film charts his rise from radio to early television there are iconic Kennedy moments: the dog peeing on set, taking the piss out of live commercials, the tantrums, the comic sketches and “that” crow call. Kennedy is both a boon to Frank Packer’s Nine Network and a thorn in its side all at the same time -neither of which seem to matter much to him.

The personal chapters of his life, many of which were referenced by longtime Kennedy friends, help peel back the mask behind a sometime sad clown. Abandoned by his mother, he was raised by his grandmother, which resonated throughout his life. The film also visits his homosexuality, mostly through his reserved relationship with a young Channel Nine dancer, known here only as “Tim.” It is a subject that many of his longtime fans may not willingly associate with their beloved star, but it is faithfully handled here in dignified manner, fitting of its time.

In support roles are Shaun Micallef, Stephen Hall (a splendid performance as the young Bert Newton), Garry McDonald, Monica Maughan and Jane Allsop – the spitting image of Noeline Brown for her short screen time.

Matt Saville’s direction is assured and affectionate, highlighting the significant moments of Kennedy’s career. With the era re-created wonderfully by Production Designer Paddy Reardon, it is almost deserving of a big screen release.

This is a project which, much like a Kennedy gag, could have flopped spectacularly in a heap on the floor, or left them laughing in the aisles.

With Curry under its crown, it has unquestionably achieved the latter.

The King premieres at 8:30pm Sunday May 20 on TV1 with an airing on Nine later this year.

Photo Gallery.