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Rating:
The worst thing anyone could possibly say about this thoroughly likable Australian comedy-drama is that it's a bit slight in material and presentation. It can be persuasively argued, however, that an ancillary quality to the proceedings is very much the intention of filmmaker Rob Sitch, whose previous film The Castle (1997) was another Down Under hit centered upon material that seemed picayune at first glance. The inherent charm of mounting a feature film about the guys who monitor NASA space flights from an Australian sheep pasture isn't lost on Sitch or his trio of screenwriters. They gleefully poke gentle fun at rural customs and aspirations, while making much of the conflict between the characters' simple lives and their history-making undertaking. Anchoring the film and providing some emotional heft is Sam Neill, whose affectionate and sly rendering of the Ward Cleaver-style hero archetype is even presented with a Mr. Rogers-style sweater and a pipe. Notable too is Patrick Warburton, who adds a notch to his professional belt with another riff on the chisel-jawed, square-shouldered all-American who's not quite as he appears. Yes, it's pre-programmed, lacking in subtlety, and a small film in every sense, but The Dish is also very satisfying storytelling and a first-rate imported comedy with wide appeal. It will certainly find favor with fans of such recent British fare as Waking Ned Devine (1998), Saving Grace (2000), and Greenfingers (2001). Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

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