Hoodwink (1981) User Reviews (2)

fascinating early Australian realism

[SteveSkafte · 7/10 · 18 March 2010]

"Hoodwink" isn't exactly what it's advertised to be. It's supposedly a crime/con man film, but it takes an abrupt 180 degree turn about half the way through and becomes a more straightforward drama. It's hard to say if this works or not. But I can say that both halves are very well acted and directed. Just don't expect to end with the same film you started with. If you do, there's a fair chance you'll be disappointed.

John Hargreaves is a very charismatic actor. As soon as you see him, there's something about the character of Martin Stang that draws you in. He is manipulative, intelligent, and complicated. Much to the point of never quite letting the viewer know who real he's really being. Judy Davis plays what is, for her, a very atypical role. She's very convincing. I suppose what really makes "Hoodwink" such an immediately engaging film is how true it feels. Director Claude Whatham and cinematographer Dean Semler create a very solid world together. It feels real, it captures the subtleties of human interaction without a lot of nonsense getting in the way of things. And that's just too hard to find these days.

A lot of acting talent, but a weak film

[PeterM27 · 4/10 · 16 November 2021]

John Hargreaves plays the con-man Martin Stang and uses his well-known gifts of charm and chat to convincingly play the criminal. Along the way he uses a variety of people (played by some of our most famous actors): Wendy Hughes as his girlfriend who refuses to leave her job to go on the run with him, Kim Deacon as the one-night-stand who eventually dobs him in, Dennis Miller as the rector who tries to help him, believing he is blind, and Judy Davis, looking strange as the conservative rector's wife who falls in lust with him.

The film is not bad, but though it is apparently based on a true story, it seems odd that Martin managed to fool so many people. That said, the film is a bit flat, with thinly drawn characters and there are no attractive characters for the audience to relate to.

Of interest though are brief appearances by Geoffrey Rush and Colin Friels who both made their debuts in this film.