The Coca Cola Kid

Rating:
Summary: "Speaking of the significance of personal disorder..."
Review: In the film, "The Coca-Cola Kid," Becker (Eric Roberts) is a 'trouble-shooter' with Coca-Cola. Becker arrives from America, and the heads of the Australian office of Coca-Cola are advised by corporate headquarters to listen to Becker. Becker, apparently, has the Midas touch and manages to double or triple sales wherever he goes. Becker is given an office, and a secretary (Greta Scacchi), and he proceeds to try and learn all he can about the Australian market for soft drinks. He learns very quickly that there is one area in Australia where absolutely no Coca-Cola is sold. Here in the Anderson Valley, eccentric factory owner T.George McDowell manufactures and distributes his own brand of soft drink. Becker attempts to beef up sales in Australia and contact McDowell, but Becker's smooth behaviour and corporate strategies really get him nowhere.

I love Australian films. The problem is finding them. A handful make it to video rental, and so when I found this film on Amazon, I was thrilled. The reviews were glowing, and so I ordered a copy. However, I have to say that "The Coca-Cola Kid" is probably the most disappointing Australian film I've ever seen. To me, it seemed very dated (more like a 70s film), and while it had a very promising start, my interest dwindled after Becker's trip to the Anderson Valley. I think I was hoping for an Australian version of "Local Hero." Australian films can never be mistaken for anything other than Australian--their world view is so unique, but in my opinion, this could have been a film set in America--or anywhere else for that matter. The fact it was Australian was really beside the point. The plot lost intensity and direction about half way through, the characters were dull, and the film never really captured my interest--displacedhuman.

Rating:
Summary: Uneven Dusan Makavejev comedy, lightened by offbeat acting
Review: Not one of Makavejev's best, and fans probably shun it as a "commercial job," but it's charming in the same vein that Bill Forsyth's 80s comedies were. Come to think of it, COCA-COLA KID was probably geared to cash in on the success of GREGORY'S GIRL and LOCAL HERO.

Still, the story about a big city, American "corporate troubleshooter" raising capitalistic hell with some wacky Aussie has its moments. Eric Roberts is superb as a lean, clean, ex-Marine, preaching and drawlin' his way through an office wasteland in search of trouble to root out and resolve. He runs amuck of skeptical executives, a ultra-cute divorcee with an instant crush, her cute as a button daughter, an old-fashioned, rural soda pop maker, and a subversive hotel bell hop who's convinced he's a CIA operative. Result: nothing like the Atlanta executives intended in sending their "miracle worker" down under.

The plotline seems to sputter out as the story digs in; that is, when the action and dialog are fast and furious, the film's utterly charming. (The DVD is worth its price for Roberts' near-religious presentation on the worldwide appeal of Coca-Cola.) But when it all has to slow down to bring the story up to date, the sparkle dims. Still, Roberts and Greta Scacchi (as the smitten secretary) are great. Watch for Tim Finn doing a costar turn as well as composing some of the soundtrack.

Rating:
Summary: Wacky.
Review: The Coca-Cola Kid gets by on it's off-beat charm of which it is loaded with. Eric Roberts is Perfect as Becker the hotshot trouble shooter who comes to bring coca-cola to the outback. Along the way he encounters a local soft drink maker who refuses to be pushed aside by the American giant. Greta Scacci plays Beckers love interest who has a few secrets of her own. Yes it is compareable to "Local Hero" but is original enough to stand on it's own. One of Roberts better performances.

Rating:
Summary: stunningly addictive forward moving film. unpredictable!
Review: this is a film to be had: no wonder it is not available at this time. maybe you can check out odd and unusual t. v. programing late at night to find it for your vcr. nothing like it exists, except maybe "oh lucky man"

Rating:
Summary: The US and Australia Rules!!!
Review: This is a great movie about an american coca-cola executive trying to invade a difficult sales district down under.Australia and the US rules!!!

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: This little known movie is fairly well produced and has good cinamatography. The redeeming factor of this film is that is has perhaps the best Coca Cola commercial that has ever been made and not used in America. For hard core movie buffs only.

Rating:
Summary: Good fun
Review: This movie is good fun. The sound track is excellent. Does anyone know how I can get a CD sound track of this movie? Send info to [e-mail]