Romper Stomper
There's a fascinating story behind the scenes of the Aussie film Romper Stomper. There's Russell Crowe (L.A. Confidential, Gladiator) in his first major role. There's off-screen romance (and no, Crowe wasn't a part on this occasion). And there's the tragic, violent suicide of one of the film's stars shortly after shooting wrapped.
There's also more than enough going on in Romper Stomper itself to let the film stand on its own merits. The opening scene sets the tone: A group of Asian teens skateboard into a tunnel, where they have the misfortune of running into some menacing skinheads. Led by the group's leaders Hando (Crowe) and Davey (Daniel Pollock), the skinheads brutally beat up the Asians. While pummeling one unfortunate youth, Hando pauses for a little Q&A: "What are you doing here?" When there's no reply, Hando provides his answer: "This is NOT your country." This brutally raw, visceral scene ends with an unidentified skinhead flipping off the camera and screaming "Fuck OFF!" while the title "Romper Stomper" flashes across the screen. Holy shit!
The opening credits haven't even flashed, and chances are you'll already be blown away. It's a tall order to live up to that kind of intro, but Romper Stomper does just that. The story shows the gradual destruction of a group of skinheads until nothing's left but a tragic love triangle between Hando, Davey and Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie), a troubled young woman they meet early on. Along the way, the film features one of the more hardcore party scenes you'll ever see (a raging skinhead bash) and one of the most brutal, visceral fight scenes ever (a brawl between skinheads and Asians).
Romper Stomper, which won three Australian Film Institute Awards (including Best Actor for Crowe) sparked controversy and divided critics with its unflinching look at racism. The film's detractors felt it painted too sympathetic a picture of the skinheads. But then again, aren't great films supposed to paint in grays rather than blatant blacks and whites? Romper Stomper does just that, and a witty climax in which the remaining skinheads are reduced to primitive beasts while a group of Asians looks on clarifies director Geoffrey Wright's intent.
The performances by the three leads are excellent. Pollock gives an intense portrayal of a soft-spoken, disturbed youth, and McKenzie (who is a well-respected actress in Australia) gives an authentic performance of an emotionally scarred young woman. But the star is Crowe, who delivers a mesmerizing, snarling performance as the skinhead leader Hando, whether busting heads or espousing his Nazi beliefs. His blistering turn helped him land his first major American role in L.A. Confidential.
While McKenzie and especially Crowe have moved on to bigger success, Pollock's story is a tragic one. Involved in a romance with McKenzie during the filming of Romper Stomper, Pollock also developed a major drug problem that threw him into the throes of depression. Shortly after Romper Stomper was completed, Pollock committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a speeding train. The incident had a powerful impact on Crowe, who wrote a song about Pollock's death for his band 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts, "The Day Davey Hit The Train."
The movie's gritty screenplay (also by Wright), innovative camerawork and top-notch direction have landed Romper Stomper comparison to films ranging from A Clockwork Orange to Reservoir Dogs. With its star-making performance by Crowe, behind-the-scenes drama, and thought-provoking subject matter, it's a must see.
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One of the most hardcore party scenes ever is likely to inspire heavy drinking and general mayhem to erupt.
Sex symbol Crowe (who has an extended scene wearing nothing but tighty-whities) might attract the ladies, but the image of him doing the nasty while grabbing onto a Nazi flag seems highly unlikely to inspire romance. The film's violent, brutal nature won't help matters either.
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