This is a favorite movie of mine to watch. Shrimp on the Barbie is a stardard fish out of water with Cheech Marin as a down on his luck Mexican American in Sydney. He then is brought into a scheme by the poiled daughter of a tycoon to fake being her fiance so her ultimately worse pick of a fiance looks better.
There are some logic gaps that defy logic, but between these moments are some funny bits that glue the movie together. It is a low budget comedy, so this is to be expected.
Is it a must see? Probably not. But it also isn't 90 or so minutes that you won't feel like you wasted either.
Plot summary
Carlos has failed in show-biz and currently works as a waiter in a Mexican restaurant. There he meets Alex and dumb footballer Bruce celebrating their engagement with her parents. Alex' father is less than thrilled of her fiancée and says he'd rather accept anybody else. Eventually Alex hires Carlos to present him as her new fiancée.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
February 03, 2023 at 01:08 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
480p.DVDMovie Reviews
A funny second tier comedy
It's Not As Bad As You Think....
I worked as an usher when our theater got this film. Since we were a single screen theater, business wasn't good. I actually sat down and watched it and found it quite charming and funny. It's a true fish-out-of-water film, with a romantic twist. Although not in the same league as "Crocodile Dundee," it comes pretty close.
Carlos (Marin) ends up in Australia when he is offered a job. Broke and recently dumped by his girl, he meets Alex, a rich girl (Samms)who makes a deal. Seems that her father is not too keen on her boyfriend Bruce (Vernon Wells). By having Carlos pose as her new love, her father would find him so repulsive that he would let her marry Bruce. Of course, things don't turn out the way Carlos and Alex want.
It's not too bad a film, and the Alan Smithee pseudonym gives the stigma that this film is a stinker. Far from it: it's a sweet and charming film that's worth a look.
Sweet Movie
Why the Aussies made this movie is a mystery to me, but I'm glad they did.
Featuring American actors Cheech Marin and Emma Samms, this is a beautiful comedy that has style, fashion, and good acting.
Everyone's playing strait except Cheech Marin, but it's not quite certain who's the real fool. What was supposed to be a bright idea by Alex turns into a handful of trouble.
Emma Samms is stunningly beautiful in this movie. This has a surreal effect in a comedy situation. But maybe that's the charm of this movie.
Unusual in every way, but it's still a great romantic comedy shot beautifully in Australia. I enjoy it every time I see it.