Kenny (2006 film)
Encyclopedia
Kenny is a 2006 Australian mockumentary
film starring Shane Jacobson
as Kenny Smyth
, a Melbourne
plumber who works for corporate bathroom rental company Splashdown.
Director Clayton Jacobson
describes the character of Kenny as "'The Dalai-Lama' of Waste Management, eternally optimistic and always ready to put others before himself. Kenny represents the humbling nature of common decency." The film was shot entirely on location in the western suburbs of Melbourne and Nashville, Tennessee
in the United States
.
The film was released in the United Arab Emirates
and the United Kingdom
on 28 September 2007.
. His ingenuousness and commitment to his profession opens business opportunities in Japan and the potential for a new relationship. Kenny declines the opportunity to become an executive and is ambivalent about the new relationship, until she shows herself to be sincerely interested in Kenny, for himself.
These events go to show that strength of character transcends career and pay tribute to Kenny as a symbol of the virtues of blue collar work.
country town of Poowong
.
reports that all 18 reviews listed gave the film positive feedback, with an average review score of 7.5 out of 10. Margaret Pomeranz from At the Movies awarded the film a score of 4.5 out of 5. In contrast, however, David Stratton gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, criticising the cinematography and overused humour.
, Kenny's World
, aired as part of Ten's second-half lineup of 2008. The series takes Kenny on a toilet tour of the globe. The show also features cameos of characters from the movie.
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
film starring Shane Jacobson
Shane Jacobson
Shane Jacobson is an Australian actor, director, writer, and comedian, best known for his performance as the eponymous character Kenny Smyth in the 2006 film Kenny...
as Kenny Smyth
Kenny Smyth
Kenny Smyth, played by Shane Jacobson, is an Australian fictional character. Jacobson portrays Smyth as an amiable chummy type of person with a slightly gruff, but extremely cheerful character. Smyth appeared in the 2006 film Kenny and the TV series Kenny's World.-Kenny:The film is about Kennys'...
, a Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
plumber who works for corporate bathroom rental company Splashdown.
Director Clayton Jacobson
Clayton Jacobson (Film Director)
Clayton Jacobson is an Australian film director, writer, producer, and editor. His debut feature film was Kenny. Kenny was released in 2006 in Australia to critical acclaim, winning a number of awards....
describes the character of Kenny as "'The Dalai-Lama' of Waste Management, eternally optimistic and always ready to put others before himself. Kenny represents the humbling nature of common decency." The film was shot entirely on location in the western suburbs of Melbourne and Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The film was released in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 28 September 2007.
Plot
Kenny is not a film that has a set plot. Rather, it is a mockumentary that follows the fictional Kenny through his daily life. His work and his personal relationships are explored as Kenny goes about his day to day activities and speaks directly to the camera and his audience. Kenny provides a most basic service to the community: portable toilets. The audience sees Kenny interviewing potential clients and involved in major public events. It is important to Kenny to know the kind of food and drink to be served at these events as this will determine the level of service he provides. Never ashamed of his job, Kenny regards himself as a professional. Even at the most prestigious events for which he caters, Kenny realises that the most glamorous will need his portable toilets. He sees life in all of its complexities through the need of his services. When Kenny travels to Nashville to attend a toilet convention, he is thrilled to travel outside his native MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. His ingenuousness and commitment to his profession opens business opportunities in Japan and the potential for a new relationship. Kenny declines the opportunity to become an executive and is ambivalent about the new relationship, until she shows herself to be sincerely interested in Kenny, for himself.
Themes
Kenny is notable for several themes of strong contrast. These contrasts provide a serious background to the movie's gags. Examples include Kenny's father's ungrateful attitude for his visit, then Kenny's immediate return to Australia when his father enters hospital. Kenny is forced to take his son to work and is criticised by some women who are later seen urinating in the public car park. In spite of his own insecurities, his honest and genuine nature allow him to land a lucrative, borderline ridiculous, sale for his company with a Japanese buyer. Regardless of his ex-wife's abuse, Kenny is shown to be charming and courteous when courting.These events go to show that strength of character transcends career and pay tribute to Kenny as a symbol of the virtues of blue collar work.
Cast
- Shane JacobsonShane JacobsonShane Jacobson is an Australian actor, director, writer, and comedian, best known for his performance as the eponymous character Kenny Smyth in the 2006 film Kenny...
as Kenny Smyth - Eve von BibraEve von BibraEve von Bibra is a former member of 1980s Australian pop group the Chantoozies as one of four female lead vocalists.Von Bibra featured in the 2006 movie Kenny, playing flight attendant and Kenny's love interest Jackie....
as Jackie - Clayton JacobsonClayton Jacobson (Film Director)Clayton Jacobson is an Australian film director, writer, producer, and editor. His debut feature film was Kenny. Kenny was released in 2006 in Australia to critical acclaim, winning a number of awards....
as David Smyth - Ronald Jacobson as Bill Smyth
- Jesse Jacobson as Jesse Smyth
- Morihiko Hasebe as Sushi Cowboy
World Premiere
In line with the theme of the film, its first screening was held in the VictorianVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
country town of Poowong
Poowong
Poowong is a small dairying town located in South Gippsland, Victoria. At the 2006 census, Poowong had a population of 587.It is located from Melbourne and about eight kilometres north-west of Korumburra in Australia....
.
Reception
Kenny received positive reviews.Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reports that all 18 reviews listed gave the film positive feedback, with an average review score of 7.5 out of 10. Margaret Pomeranz from At the Movies awarded the film a score of 4.5 out of 5. In contrast, however, David Stratton gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, criticising the cinematography and overused humour.
Awards
- Australian Film Institute (AFI) 2006: Nominated: Best Film (Clayton Jacobson, Rohan Timlock), Best Direction (Clayton Jacobson), Best Original Screenplay (Shane Jacobson, Clayton Jacobson), Best Editing (Clayton Jacobson, Sean Lander), Best Supporting Actor (Ronald Jacobson)
- Won: Best Lead Actor (Shane Jacobson)
- Film Critics Circle of Australia 2006: Won: Best Actor (Shane Jacobson), Best Original Screenplay; Nominated: Best Film, Best Director
- if Awards 2006: Won: Best Feature Film, Best Script (Clayton Jacobson, Shane Jacobson), Best Sound (Craig Carter, Peter Smith), Box Office Achievement; Nominated: Best Director (Clayton Jacobsen), Best Editing (Clayton Jacobson, Sean Lander)
- Funniest Fiction Feature (2008): Traverse City Film Festival
Spin-off
A television mockumentary series developed with Network TenNetwork Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
, Kenny's World
Kenny's World
Kenny's World is an Australian television mockumentary on Network Ten that is a spin-off from the 2006 mockumentary film Kenny.The series stars Shane Jacobson, reprising his role of Kenny Smyth, Australia's favourite portaloo plumber who scours the globe for bizarre, intriguing and often downright...
, aired as part of Ten's second-half lineup of 2008. The series takes Kenny on a toilet tour of the globe. The show also features cameos of characters from the movie.
External links
- Official website
- Kenny on The Internet Movie Database
- Hoyts Cinemas film review
- Kenny: The Movie Trailer on YouTube
- Kenny at the National Film and Sound Archive