Only an Australian film would dare mix breezy, outlandish humour with such a dark undercurrent of cruelty and sadness (see also Muriel's Wedding, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, etc). We don't quite know whether to laugh, cry or turn away from the screen in fear! But it's so consistently inventive and entertaining that it keeps us gripped. The nimble dialog is a revealing mix of three languages, and the characters are vividly well-played by the cast. Marceli creates one of the most memorable cinematic mothers in memory with the comic-defiant-bitter-obsessive Lola, seen through the eyes of her horrified daughter. And it's in this mother-daughter relationship that the film actually finds resonance, and says some important things about the nature of real love. A bit clunky and overreaching, perhaps, but unforgettable filmmaking from start to finish.

Errol Firminger, Melbourne: "Australian style, very enjoyable, very tight direction, not a minute wasted, great cast of so natural actors (maybe some non actors - just real). Only fault is a failure to place them in the bush. The blown dust is not sufficient - the Australian landscape is huge." (5.Jul.04)