Worth: $17.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Anthony Field, Greg Page, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt, Simon Pryce, Lachlan Gillespie, Tsehay Hawkins, Caterina Mete, Evie Ferris, John Pearce, Lucia Field, Emma Watkins, Sam Moran, Paul Field, Paul Paddick, Jackie Cannizzaro
Intro:
... comprehensive and heartwarming ...
For over three decades, The Wiggles have gone beyond children’s entertainment and become a bonafide cultural institution. Anyone who went through childhood or taken care of kids during that time will have at least three of their songs memorised, complete with dance moves. Documentarian Sally Aitken, who made one hell of a primer on Aussie film culture with David Stratton’s Stories Of Australian Cinema, tells of The Wiggles’ meteoric rise from a one-off side gig for an already-existing band into one of the biggest names in children’s entertainment worldwide.
While it runs into the classic issue of trying to cover everything in the space of a single sitting, leading to some loss of cohesion the further it goes, the actual structure for the film’s story is air-tight.
The documentary starts out highlighting each of the original Wiggles, then their decision to work together musically, to the gradual escalation of their public profile, to expanding out to show all the other people who kept the show running, both in and out of the skivvies.
Future (now Former) Yellow Wiggle Emma describes the voice of OG Yellow Greg as having an innately nostalgic quality to it, comfortably taking the listener back to a younger time, and that’s the main effect created by the interview footage of the original Wiggles. Seeing them reminisce on old times, Greg’s fanboying about getting to play with the Cockroaches (Anthony and Jeff’s original band), their differing personalities and dynamics, is like a soft digital hug from old friends. They represent the classic laidback Aussie charm that, quite understandably, made them into impromptu ambassadors.
But beyond just showing what worked with their hits like ‘Hot Potato’ and ‘Fruit Salad’ [Yummy Yummy], it also takes time to highlight why they worked. The Wiggles each have as much education in early childhood development as they do in good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll, and the way their ethos carries through in their words and actions reveals them as that rare success in kids’ entertainment that is devoid of focus-grouped cynicism. It’s similar to the M.O. of Stateside venerated entertainer Mr. Rogers, as it puts the child in the audience front and center, concentrating on how children actually behave and think, rather than trying to play into how adults wish they acted in order to further growth. And with the sturdy foundation of actual musicianship, they made it acceptable for the parents to get in on the fun. Eat your heart out, Peppa Pig.
Not that this serves as hagiography. Through its depictions and candid discussions about personal and professional shake-ups, including some of the more shocking health scares that the lads have dealt with, it highlights them as people who have made a serious impact on children around the world… but still people at the end of the day.
Even for those who vividly remember when the news broke about Greg’s departure or Anthony’s speaking out on mental health, or even their fundraising work during the bushfires, the film frames the story with the right context to make it all vibrant and heart-stirring again.
Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles is a comprehensive and heartwarming look at a band that, against all odds, brought generations together. It may self-consciously shy away from anything too uncomfortable, such as Sam’s entry and later exit from the group, but Sally Aitken’s matter-of-fact framing allows the expected nostalgic charm of such a doco to be couched in an informative look at how four Sydney-based musicians became cultural icons, and created a brand that means just as much to adults as it does to kids. Superheroes wear skivvies down here!
