Watch The Big Steal

The Big Steal is a 1990 Australian comedy-adventure film directed by Nadia Tass and starring Ben Mendelsohn, Claudia Karvan, and Marshall Napier. The film follows a teenage boy named Danny Clark (Mendelsohn) who is trying to impress his crush, Joanna Johnson (Karvan), by purchasing a 1956 Jag XK with a limited budget of $10,000. Things take a hilarious turn when Danny falls prey to a series of car scams and ends up losing the car as well as the money.

The story begins with Danny and his mother returning to Australia after living in New York for six years. Danny is an American teenager with an Australian accent, and he finds it difficult to fit in with his classmates. He sees the XK120 advertised in a newspaper and decides to buy it as a means of impressing Joanna, who is the most popular girl in his school. Danny meets the car’s owner, Gordon Farkas (Napier), who is an unscrupulous used car dealer. Farkas sells Danny a car that he claims is a genuine Jag XK, but is in fact a replica.

Danny is unaware of the ruse and is thrilled to show off the car to Joanna, but things quickly go wrong. Farkas turns up and demands the car back, revealing that it was stolen from him. Danny realises that he has been scammed and sets out to get his money back. Along the way, he meets a girl named Sue (Angie Milliken), who is also trying to recover money that Farkas has conned from her father.

Danny and Sue team up and embark on a series of comical adventures as they try to track down Farkas and retrieve their money. They are pursued by Farkas, who is intent on getting the car back at any cost. The pair are also chased by the police, who mistake them for a gang of car thieves.

The Big Steal is a classic caper movie that is full of laughs and excitement. The film is set in Melbourne in the late 1980s and captures the zeitgeist of that era. The soundtrack features a mix of Australian and international pop and rock songs, which adds to the fun and quirky feel of the movie.

Ben Mendelsohn gives an outstanding performance as Danny. He portrays the character as a naïve but determined teenager who is in over his head but refuses to give up. Claudia Karvan is perfectly cast as Joanna, the object of Danny’s affection. She plays the character as a cool but approachable girl who develops a soft spot for Danny.

Marshall Napier is excellent as Gordon Farkas, the sleazy used car salesman who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the car back. He brings a sense of menace to the role that is both convincing and hilarious.

The Big Steal is a well-crafted movie that is both entertaining and engaging. The film’s fast-paced plot, great characters, and funny dialogue make it a must-watch for fans of comedy and adventure movies. It is a timeless classic that still holds up today, almost 30 years after it was released.

In conclusion, The Big Steal is a fun and captivating film that is sure to leave audiences with a smile on their faces. It showcases the talents of some of Australia’s finest actors and filmmakers and is a testament to the country’s rich film history. Fans of classic caper movies will not be disappointed with this gem from the 1990s.

The Big Steal is a 1990 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.