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Horseplay (2003)

Directed by: Stavros Kazantzidis
Written by: Stavros Kazantzidis
Starring: Tushka Bergen, Jason Donovan, Marcus Graham, Bill Hunter, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Damien Richardson, Hugo Weaving
Links: Horseplay on the IMDb
Genre: Comedy
Awards: AFI Awards: Best Film 2003 (nominee)

This movie gets: 5.00 (1 rating)
nofreelist.com Ranking: not yet ranked (awaiting 2 ratings)

"It sure keeps you busy" - a review by pearly

This is the kind of movie that I would not pay money to go to the cinema and see. Firstly, it's billed as a comedy about horse racing, and that just sounds plain weird. Secondly, it contains the terrible duo of Marcus Graham and Jason Donovan, two actors which, a couple of years back, I thought had been relegated to nowhereland, after their respective forays into the Australian soapie world.

Given these low expectations, Horseplay was a pleasant surprise. What I didn't see coming was the crime element, not dissimilar in style to Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), but with horses. And, let's face it, setting up a robbery on Melbourne Cup Day is a pretty cool idea for a movie.

There's nothing spectacular about any of the acting in Horseplay - probably the most memorable actor is Damien Richardson, who is setting himself up to be the Australian equivalent of Philip Seymour Hoffman if he continues to play the kinds of roles he's been playing thus far. Most of the other actors play over-the-top socialite types, or over-the-top crime types, or over-the-top somethingorotherelse types. I really didn't need to see Jason Donovan as an over-the-top sex-crazed type either, I might point out. The only one who wasn't particularly over-the-top was Hugo Weaving, who narrates the movie, but does not star. However, the presence of so much narration was over-the-top, as it relied on the narration far more openly than any other movie I remember seeing.

But, as I said earlier, it was only a pleasant surprise because of my low expectations going in. The surprise bumped it up a point or so. The over-the-toppedness bumped it right back down.

pearly gives this movie 5 out of 10.
Review created on Fri 26 Sep 2003

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Reader comments

A great movie! Dean Measor who plays jockey "JOE BYRNES" is very good, he puts in a great performance and certainly looks the part too.
Allanah Zitserman and Stavros Kazantzidis are BRILLIANT!
Rating given: 10
A comment from EVA on Tue 20 Jan 2004 02:25 #
Hot chicks!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Dave on Sat 12 Jun 2004 01:49 #
Dean Measor as wet behind the ears champion jockey is very good, I thought he actually was a real jockey, he was great along side Bill Hunter.
He was not over the top.
I also thought Jason Donovan was very funny and I loved Jacek Koman, a great Actor.
I found the movie very clever and funny indeed.
Dean Measor is a cutieXXXX
Rating given: 10
A comment from Natalie on Fri 19 Aug 2005 20:31 #
I enjoyed reading Nicole Perazzo's review. (very interesting and clever stuff)
Let me just say it is very hard to get an Acting gig in any Australian Movie and I feel very fortunate to have played 'JOE' in Horseplay.
I thought the film was a great little movie with limited time and of course budget. Stavros and Allanah the writers, director and producer of HORSEPLAY are very clever, talented and hardworking film makers. I do not feel the characters in the movie are played over the top. That is the way Stavros wanted his Actors to be in the film. It is a very hard process to make a feature film in Australia and let me just say that the makers of HORSEPLAY are the very hardest working people I have ever known.
I loved Jacek Koman (a talented and highly respected Actor in Australia) and I also loved the legendary Bill Hunter. Thank you to everyone who has seen the film :)
Dean Measor "JOE" in HORSEPLAY
Rating given: 9
A comment from Dean Measor on Fri 19 Aug 2005 20:42 #
Horseplay is a fantastic movie! and for the life of me I can't understand why it was not a huge success both at the cinema and on DVD? Horseplay needs to be played on free to air TV by one of the stations every Melbourne Cup Eve (year) it would get a huge cult following! Jacek Koman, Jason Donovan, (unknown)Dean Measor, and AFI award winnig Actress, Amanda Douge were just brilliant.
Check the movie out on DVD yourself @ blockbusters and make up your own mind! An Aussie Classic.
Rating given: 10
A comment from EMMA on Sat 08 Dec 2007 16:51 #
I found this DVD hiding on the back shelf of my video store and I can't understand why. This film is funny as anything and the actors are hilarious. Kudos to the ditzy blonde brigade - actors Alyssa McClelland, Christina Collard and the super hot Elizabeth Sandy.
Rating given: 9
A comment from MIKE on Wed 16 Apr 2008 20:38 #
This is a great movie and is 100% underated.
Loved jacek Koman and Dean Measor
Rating given: 10
A comment from Sarah on Tue 09 Sep 2008 22:04 #
A very very funny and clever movie, it has to played every year on TV as the cup eve comes to Australia.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Eva on Tue 09 Sep 2008 22:07 #
A very very funny and clever movie, it has to played every year on TV as the cup eve comes to Australia.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Eva on Tue 09 Sep 2008 22:07 #
VERY GOOD FILM, LOTS OF ACTION!
Rating given: 9
A comment from REECE on Tue 09 Sep 2008 22:08 #
Deano you did a great job dear friend!
Rating given: 10
A comment from dane angel on Tue 30 Sep 2008 16:46 #
Thanks to everyone who went to see, hired or purchased Horse Play. Thank you to everybody who took the time to post a comment down on this site! :-)
Much appreciated!!!
Dean
Rating given: 10
A comment from DEAN MEASOR on Thu 27 Nov 2008 20:12 #
Emma who has posted on this site in 2007 a great point-idea really.
A free to air yearly Melbourne Cup Eve screening of the movie would be a great idea and lots of fun. the movie would soon have everyone interested!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Eric Faulkner on Thu 27 Nov 2008 20:37 #
VERRY FUN FILM!
Why is it not well known???
Rating given: 10
A comment from DAT on Thu 27 Nov 2008 20:41 #
A fantastic and funny film, loved all the star studded cast! An aussie classic!
Rating given: 10
A comment from DAVID KENT on Thu 27 Nov 2008 20:43 #
What a SENSATIONAL movie!
I know one of the cast members, that person can't understand why the film did not do well?
Bad promoting and marketing in my opinion!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Wendy Elliot on Thu 27 Nov 2008 20:49 #
My favourite movie ever, why is it not a famous Australian Movie??
It should be right up there with the best of them.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Leanne Thompson on Thu 27 Nov 2008 21:17 #
terrible marketing and promotion and constant set backs in the release dates. originally released for November 2002 Melbourne Cup, what a difference that would have made!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Blair Lynch on Thu 27 Nov 2008 23:50 #
Cute movie!
Rating given: 10
A comment from ELIZA on Wed 03 Dec 2008 19:42 #
Dean Measor is better known as an artist-designer and illustrator.
He also is an accomplished musician.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Bruce T on Wed 03 Dec 2008 19:45 #
I enjoyed this unkown movie 100% and I recommend it to everyone!
Did it get released in the USA? or has plans to be released there?
Rating given: 9
A comment from S.TATE on Wed 03 Dec 2008 19:49 #
Bunch of hack actors, especially all of above mentioned!
Rating given: 5
A comment from spazzattak on Wed 03 Dec 2008 19:52 #
I have seen this movie for the very first time, it was the only copy at the back of the shelf of Australian Movies at my local video store. I'm glad I rented it out, the story and the actors in the film where really good, I wish the movie went a little longer, it seemed shorter than most films. A great movie!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Cathy on Wed 03 Dec 2008 19:58 #
Don't agree with the above review of this movie in any way, the film was never marketed correctly, no promotion and I think the majority of people in Australia would not even know the film excists. I found it fast, action, comedy, and a great sound score by Nigel Westlake. The Actors were brilliant! I rate this a ten!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Kathryn on Thu 04 Dec 2008 18:08 #
Brilliant movie! brilliant Actors! Brilliant sound track! 100-1 long shot gets the prize.
Rating given: 10
A comment from callofthewest on Thu 04 Dec 2008 18:12 #
just watched those girls "SKAKIN THAT ASS"
Rating given: 10
A comment from callofthewest on Sat 06 Dec 2008 22:24 #
HEY! GREAT MOVIE!
why in the f#### is this film not popular in at least Australia?
drop the boy....
Rating given: 9
A comment from theboyisdropped on Sat 06 Dec 2008 22:28 #
The jockey in the film is a real jockey or an Actor?
Love it when Bill Hunter gives him a beating!!!!
Great CHICKS!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Steve Green on Sat 06 Dec 2008 22:32 #
Very funny, Abbie Cornish before she was famous!
Rating given: 10
A comment from susan o on Mon 08 Dec 2008 16:03 #
What a great movie!
Rating given: 10
A comment from rapkatt on Wed 10 Dec 2008 16:21 #
Dean Measor has been a loyal friend of mine and looked after my back for as long as I can remember.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo for Dean
Rating given: 9
A comment from amanda cm on Sat 13 Dec 2008 05:28 #
and he's HOT!!!!!
Rating given: 10
A comment from ELIZA on Sat 13 Dec 2008 05:30 #
good movie, can someone down load a scene or two from it?
Rating given: 8
A comment from PBS1 on Mon 15 Dec 2008 14:48 #
Happy Christmas Dean Measor, you are a true friend and the most humble, genuine, and interesting people I have ever known. oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Rating given: 10
A comment from Amanda M on Wed 24 Dec 2008 01:21 #
Can I please have Dean Measor wrapped up in a red ribbon in my Christmas stocking this Christmas eve PPPPPPPLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE! ox
Rating given: 10
A comment from Eliza F on Wed 24 Dec 2008 01:23 #
HAPPY CHRISTMAS SWEETNESS!
NOW,,,,,, T H I S I S A
M A N!!!!! hot!!!!!!!!
Rating given: 9
A comment from lilly on Wed 24 Dec 2008 01:24 #
Dean Measor is the most humble, kind and generous people you could ever meet.
he is a talented actor, Musician, Writer, and illustrator. But most of all his has a kind and BEAUTIFUL MIND. i love him.
www.imdb.com
www.manpaper.com
www.who'sdatedwho.com
Rating given: 10
A comment from Felicity on Wed 24 Dec 2008 01:27 #
Dean Measor is a beautiful person!
Rating given: 10
A comment from ELIZA on Tue 27 Jan 2009 13:18 #
I love Dean Measor
Rating given: 10
A comment from ELIZA on Thu 29 Jan 2009 12:01 #
The movie sucked and so did the Actor Dean Measor.
Rating given: 1
A comment from mmrs on Thu 29 Jan 2009 12:02 #
Horseplay is a BRILLIANT MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Emma s on Wed 29 Jul 2009 18:35 #
great movie
Rating given: 10
A comment from jm on Fri 31 Jul 2009 17:13 #
hot chicks!
Rating given: 10
A comment from dave on Tue 25 Aug 2009 20:36 #
GREAT MOVIE! SAW IT BY PURE ACCIDENT!
Rating given: 10
A comment from davis on Fri 28 Aug 2009 20:25 #
Dean Measor is a personal friend of mine and he is a hard worker who has been trying for years with his acting. He does many, many voices and accents and was great as the jockey in this feature film. Thanks for the little blog. The Bugster Brother
Rating given: 10
A comment from biggles on Mon 15 Feb 2010 08:24 #
The movie Horseplay is really good and why is it not on television every cup eve in Australia. KOMAN,DONOVAN,MEASOR,CORNISH and BEAMER were good Actors in the film.
Rating given: 10
A comment from bernice e on Fri 12 Mar 2010 05:37 #
The movie is awesome, please have a view for yourself.
Elizabeth sandy and Dean Measor are very good newcommers to the screen.
By CR Biggles.
Rating given: 9
A comment from biggles CR on Fri 12 Mar 2010 05:40 #
The whole cast is brilliant except for a few. Good fun film, underated 100%
Rating given: 9
A comment from davis and buggles on Fri 12 Mar 2010 05:42 #
I liked HORSEPLY, unkown cast members such as Craig Beamer, Dean Measor and Elizabeth sandy were really good. You should give this film a look in.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Bernice and Charity on Sat 03 Apr 2010 02:26 #
Dean Measor IS an Actor.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Charity on Sat 03 Apr 2010 02:28 #
I LOVE THIS FILM!
treated harshly in the press and media.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Zoe on Wed 21 Apr 2010 03:08 #
do ya feel like a pizza!
Rating given: 10
A comment from anom on Wed 21 Apr 2010 03:11 #
A brilliant movie! I love this film, it absolutley ROCKS!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Emma on Thu 06 May 2010 11:15 #
This movie is freaking awesome!
Rating given: 10
A comment from linda c on Thu 17 Jun 2010 02:18 #
I really thought this movie was terrific! I have read the comments above and I too can not understand why this movie has just f
vanishd out of thin air? No-one and I mean no-one even knows about it yet it's cast is full of great talent. The film is about The Melbourne Cup for Christ's sake. Isn't that supposed to be an Australian Tradition????
Abbie Cornish was great in the film and so was just about everyone, with perhaps the exception of Krista Vendy?
A funny and entertaining movie!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Dave Kantz on Mon 14 Feb 2011 13:35 #
I really loved this movie!
It's a hidden gem and I bet it never sees the light of day again.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Melinda on Mon 03 Oct 2011 05:03 #
HORSEPLAY is the best Australian Comedy/Drama since
Muriel's Wedding.
It's no-where to be purchased, never once been screened
on television in nine
years.
HORSEPLAY is in NO PART on youtube.
HORSEPLAY is not listed in wikipedia.
Abbie Cornish,
Dean Measor, Craig Beamer and the late and legendary Bill Hunter are superb in this classic Australian FILM!
Rating given: 10
A comment from katie on Sat 17 Mar 2012 04:22 #
Dean Measor is an English and Australian Stage and sometimes Film Actor. He has had to retire from all forms of Acting due to severe illness and health problems. He was very convincing in this amazing movie. This movie should indeed be played on every Melbourne Cup Eve. Also stars Abbie Cornish, Bill Hunter and Jason Donovan.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Angie on Mon 19 Nov 2012 02:36 #
Very hot chicks! Funny film, especially during the actual running of the Melbourne Cup in the film!
Rating given: 10
A comment from DrongoDaveaussieaussie on Mon 19 Nov 2012 02:42 #
"pearly" that is the worst review ever. A funny, quirky fast paced film.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Loui on Sat 29 Dec 2012 21:38 #
To the Clueless and Useless PEARLY ( above ) who has written quite easily the worst and most pathetic film review ever! Listen up you wanna be; this movie HORSEPLAY is a brilliant black comedy and both Marcus Graham and the brilliant Jason Donovan are very funny in this film. Jason Donovan is a STAND OUT in this fast paced comedy. Other STAND OUT actors in the film include Dean Measor and Jacek Koman. The Actor who totally sucks and brings the movie down is Damien Richardson who is just plain USELESS. Let's see PEARLY make the same kind of quality film on that shoe string budget. Let's see how many "punters" will pay for a ticket to your great flic. Pathetic review! This movie has a huge cult following and should be aired on free to air more often. Ten out of Ten!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Leigh on Wed 16 Jan 2013 00:21 #
To the Clueless and Useless PEARLY ( above ) who has written quite easily the worst and most pathetic film review ever! Listen up you wanna be; this movie HORSEPLAY is a brilliant black comedy and both Marcus Graham and the brilliant Jason Donovan are very funny in this film. Jason Donovan is a STAND OUT in this fast paced comedy. Other STAND OUT actors in the film include Dean Measor and Jacek Koman. The Actor who totally sucks and brings the movie down is Damien Richardson who is just plain USELESS. Let's see PEARLY make the same kind of quality film on that shoe string budget. Let's see how many "punters" will pay for a ticket to your great flic. Pathetic review! This movie has a huge cult following and should be aired on free to air more often. Ten out of Ten!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Leigh on Wed 16 Jan 2013 00:22 #
Dean Measor is so cute in this movie!
Rating given: 10
A comment from Bernice and Amanda on Wed 16 Jan 2013 00:26 #
The above film review is the biggest piece of garbage I have ever read. The movie is a classic dark comedy and the cast of Horseplay is the who's who of Australian Actors. The Actor who is a very wink link I'd Damien Richardson. Bill Hunter, Dean Measor (brilliant) Tushka Bergen and Amanda Douge are nothing short of outstanding! Finally after 10 years this clever film gets wikipedia creditation. Dean Measor and Tushka Bergen are very underrated actors in every way and this movie seems to have been a curse on their careers. This is a 10/10 movie.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Pop and Flo on Sun 21 Apr 2013 03:21 #
TYPO* The above film review is the biggest piece of garbage I have ever read. The movie is a classic dark comedy and the cast of HORSEPLAY is the who's who of Australian Actors. The Actor who IS a weak link in the cast IS Damien Richardson. Bill Hunter, Dean Measor (brilliant), Tushka Bergen and Amanda Douge are nothing short of outstanding. Finally, after 10 years this clever film gets wikipedia creditation. Dean Measor and Tushka Bergen are very underrated Actors in every way and this movie seems to have been a curse on their careers. This is a 10/10 movie.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Pop and Flo on Mon 22 Apr 2013 02:33 #
Dean Measor is a two time award winning actor and not an actual jockey. He did learn to ride as a jokey for the film though, but he is an English trained Stage Actor with many credits in stage and opera. In this movie he plays of the role of champion jockey JOE BYRNES so well that many who saw the film believed he eas the QLD based actual Jockey....Joe Byrnes. Stand outs in this funny and fast paced film are BILL HUNTER, YACEK KOMAN, DEAN MEASOR and ABBIE CORNISH.
Rating given: 10
A comment from Billy Simonds on Wed 24 Apr 2013 03:46 #
Dean Measor is a two time award winning actor and not an actual jockey. He did learn to ride as a jockey for the film though, but he is an English trained Stage Actor with many credits in stage and opera. In this movie he plays of the role of champion jockey JOE BYRNES so well that many who saw the film believed he eas the QLD based actual Jockey....Joe Byrnes. Stand outs in this funny and fast paced film are BILL HUNTER, YACEK KOMAN, DEAN MEASOR and ABBIE CORNISH.
Rating given: 10
A comment from murphy on Wed 24 Apr 2013 03:51 #
A very, very, funny and underrated feature film!
All the cast were brilliant and believable except Krista Vendy, Damien Richardson and Natalie Mendoza Jackson.
Rating given: 10
A comment from phil on Wed 24 Apr 2013 03:55 #
One of those movies that is just about unheard of and near impossible to get a hold of.
Much comments for British born actor Dean Measor but the real star of this film is Marcus Graham.
Abbie Cornish shines as well.
Rating given: 9
A comment from soundclip41 on Wed 24 Apr 2013 22:22 #
Manic and dark comedy. Jason Donovan, Marcus Graham, Abbie Cornish and unknown Dean Measor were very convincing. Robert Menzies was as good as ever. A good little movie. 8.5/10
Rating given: 8
A comment from Spazzattack23141960 on Thu 25 Apr 2013 01:44 #
A great scene in this movie is when Bill Hunter's character gives Dean Measor's character a good slap in the face. Real classic and well acted scene. Wikipedia states the movie stars Marcus Graham. In my opinion the star of the movie is the late Bill Hunter. RIP
Rating given: 9
A comment from Bennybgood6564 on Mon 20 May 2013 02:23 #

Those who have commented give this movie: 9.59 (71 ratings)

Horseplay (2003)

"It sure keeps you busy" - a review by pearly

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