Runt: A delightful tale of dogged determination and dastardly behaviour
Monday, 30 September 2024
Runt (PG, 92mins) Directed by John Sheedy ****
Upsom Downs might pride itself on being the home of the Big Ram, but it’s also in the middle of the Big Dry.
Rain hasn’t fallen in the tiny Western Australian town for more than a year and the forecast is simply for more of the same.
For the Shearer family, it’s the overdraft on the overdraft that has them worried about their farming future. Wandering livestock doesn’t help either, especially when it’s on to Earl Robert-Barren’s (Jack Thompson) estate.
Having already syphoned off what little water there is onto his land, he’s been taking advantage of those struggling to purchase their properties for a song. One more trespass from the Shearers’ ovine cluster – and he promises they won’t get them back.
A diversion to their increasingly dire situation comes in the form of the local show. Susie Shearer (Celeste Barber) has high hopes for her “humble pies”, even if the rest of the family are sceptical of the saleability of mackerel and prune and chicken feet and leek.
Meanwhile, husband Bryan (Jai Courtney) has secretly been dabbling in experimental rose propagation and is quietly confident he may just have a prize winner amongst them.
For 10-year-old Annie (Lily LaTorre) though, it’s simply a chance to soak up some colour and spend some time with her new canine pal Runt. That is, until she spies an agility competition – with a top prize of A$500.
She knows her charge is fast, she’s seen how quick he was after snatching sausages from Grubb’s Grub before he came to live on the Shearers’ farm. There’s just one problem, not only does he only listen to Annie, but he won’t run if anyone is looking at him.
Borrowing the $20 entry fee from her mother’s meagre pastry takings so far, Annie enlists the help of her daredevil brother Max (Jack LaTorre) to create a distraction. Cue a record-breaking run that not only boosts the Shearers’ coffers (explained away as a last-minute run on pies), it also earns Annie and Runt a spot at the nationals.
However, although a top-two finish there could earn them a trip to London’s prestigious Krumpets Dog Show – and the chance to win a life-changing A$250,000 – Annie needs to find a way to help Runt overcome his stage fright.
But even as she seeks out the services of reclusive former national champion Bernadette Box (Deborah Mailman), one of her rivals is unhappy at the appearance of this upstart. Fergus Fink (Matt Day) has his sights set on Krumpets glory – and isn’t about to let some “scruffy stray” and her pooch rain on his parade.
What follows is a delightful tale of dogged determination, dastardly behaviour and the odd minor disaster, as a girl and her canine companion win the hearts of two nations and cinema-going audiences of all ages.
Yes, this is a crowd-pleasing Australian comedy that should appeal to those who enjoyed Paper Planes, Oddball, Strictly Ballroom, Muriel’s Wedding or The Dressmaker.
Like those fabulous tales, writer Craig Silvey (adapting the story from his own 2022 novel, now known as The Underdogs of Upsom Downs) and director John Sheedy (the little-seen, but hilarious H is for Happiness) populate their story with colourful characters, terrific set pieces and plenty of opportunities for “the feels”.
Courtney (Storm Boy) gives good Dad, comedian Barber (Wellmania) is a hoot and Day (TV’s Rake) is a hilariously hissable baddie.
However, Runt’s secret sauce, unsurprisingly is its central combination of Squid the dog and Lily LaTorre (Run Rabbit Run). Both possess natural screen charisma and chutzpah that ensure you’ll be willing them to win, regardless of whatever seemingly insurmountable challenges they come up against.
Runt begins screening in cinemas nationwide on Monday, September 30.