We Can Be Heroes
(2005)
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WE CAN BE HEROES is the predecessor to Chris Lilley's hilarious mockumentary creation SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH. Once again Lilley stars as the five main characters, all nominees for the Australian Of The Year award, in a mockumentary format which flits between nominees as they await the ceremony. Daniel Sims is a 17-year old aspiring beat-boxing farmer who is about to undergo pioneering surgery to donate an ear-drum to his deaf twin brother Nathan... much to Nathan's disinterest. Phil Olivetti is an ex-police officer whose accidental bravery in a fly-away bouncy castle incident and subsequent fleeting fame, has given him delusions of grandeur (not helped by his 'impressive' hand-span). Middle-aged housewife Pat Mullins has found a novel way of overcoming her physical disability (she has one leg shorter than the other), 'rolling'. Imbued with a new purpose and support from her loving husband Terry, Pat plans to roll all the way from Perth to Uluru. Chinese physics student Ricky Wong has been nominated for his work in solar energy, although it soon becomes clear that his heart really lies in performing arts - in particular to his Chinese Theatre Group's production of 'Indigeridoo' a musical about Aborigine history. Fans of SUMMER HEIGHT HIGH will recognise Ja'mie King, a self-promoting private school girl. Nominated for her contribution to 'Global Vision', Ja'mie sponsors 85 Sudanese children (depending on how often they write to thank her) and takes part in a weekly '40 Hour Famine' for charity and to stay 'hot'.
What makes WE CAN BE HEROES stand out from the comedy crowd is Lilley's flawless talent for character-acting and mimicry. With relatively minimal costume/make-up, the show doesn't go to great lengths to disguise the fact that a grown man is playing a schoolgirl therefore each characters' believability is a marvel in itself. Subtle, innovative, surprisingly poignant and downright hilarious, it's no wonder that the show's cult following is steadily growing.
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