The Coca–Cola Kid (1985/Umbrella Entertainment/Region Zero/PAL)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C Extras: C+ Film: C+
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on
machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Zero/0 PAL format
software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment at the
website address provided at the end of the review.
Before his star fell, Eric Roberts almost became the next big thing, then his now estranged sister Julia hit the big time
instead. He did try to do films that
were different, but Dusan Makavejev’s The
Coca–Cola Kid (1985) was an independent comedy/drama (despite the fact the
actual soda pop makers bought Columbia Pictures) about the title character
(Roberts) determined to find new markets fort the product when visiting
Australia, et al.
His
performance is interesting and nuanced, a little off the wall, yet seems like
an ad placement and the film seems like one for too much of its 97
minutes. It is almost a cult item, but
as a film never ads up to much despite some interesting moments and a
supporting cast that includes Greta Scacchi.
For the most curious only.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is soft at times, but the color (especially
of Coke ads and other items) is good. The
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo can be a little harsh, distorted and a bit lower in
volume than it should be, so be careful of playback levels. Extras include the original theatrical
trailer for this and a few for other Umbrella DVD releases, plus a 40-minutes
long making-of featurette called The
Real Thing.
As noted above, you can order this PAL DVD import
exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
- Nicholas Sheffo
