The movie centers on Muriel, a plump and unhappy woman who dreams of escaping to a new and better life through marriage. Then she steals some money to go on a tropical vacation, meets a wacky friend, changes her name to Mariel, and turns her world upside down.
11 December 1953, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
24 July 1948, Billericay, Essex, England, UK
12 January 1934, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
13 November 1941, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
6 January 1967, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1 November 1972, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
4 November 1935, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
20 February 1974, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
1958, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
1 October 1970, Penang, Malaysia
7 August 1968, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
4 December 1923, Wee Waa, New South Wales, Australia
April 09, 2012
There's a high enough feelgood factor here to compensate for the detours off the comedy highway.
March 26, 2009
Most of the action is played for broad laughs, and Hogan demonstrates the ability to generate them, even if the humor is base and often cruel, making fun of people's looks and ineptitude.
February 09, 2006
An engaging, funny and sometimes surprisingly tough romantic comedy.
April 09, 2012
This movie only shows true tact and understanding when it comes to flattering the audience; everyone on-screen is strictly up for grabs.
May 20, 2003
[A] gleeful, gaudy tribute to one ungainly misfit and her determination.
July 19, 2003
Soulfully explores a young woman's journey to transformation
April 27, 2003
One of the finest Australian films of all time. The laughs don't stop.
March 29, 2004
Enjoyable little film that nonetheless already feels overrated.
April 09, 2012
Another kooky Australian movie this may be, but director Hogan and his cast sustain a strange melancholic undercurrent.
April 14, 2003
So overrated. 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' for the nineties.
September 07, 2011
The trouble with the movie is that there's nothing to Muriel but her false dreams: We never quite glimpse the woman they're hiding.
June 18, 2002
There's poignant drama in this brash, sometimes overstated film, and Muriel's transformation is truly touching.
