Most musicals seems to be set in a type of fantasy world which exists in parallel to our own. The fact that people burst into song to express their feelings bears this out. 'Goddess' is very much a modern musical which has a modern storyline and features themes and issues which many people can relate to. The fact that the main characters sing their feelings just makes the message a lot more fun. Admittedly the plot is predictable, but tell me a musical that isn't. You know where it is going at every step but that does not matter when you are having this much fun. The songs which came from a one woman show by Joanna Weinberg are very fun but for me were not terribly memorable. Director Mark Lamprell has done an excellent job of staging the songs too with excellent choreography. They help with the feel good fun factor of the film.
Laura Michelle Kelly comes from a stage musical background so she is the perfect choice to play Elspeth. Laura is wonderful and brings a great deal of warmth and charm to the role. She is also a brilliant singer and dancer. Ronan Keating is another one with a musical background. He does a very decent job but I did not find him as dynamic as Laura. The great Magda Szubanski is brilliant as always. She plays the ruthless corporate bitch really well and provides much of the films funnier moments. It was also nice to see Pia Miranda and Corrine Grant in minor roles.
More evidence that Australia can produce some great films. Not everything we do is all doom and gloom.
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