The Efficiency Expert is a very average film, and had much potential. However, it did not meet up to what it could have been. A feel good comedy, which stirs a warm feeling in the beginning, but rather boring as it progresses. Several well known actors star in this film, Anthony Hopkins, Russell Crowe, Ben Mendelson, and Toni Collette, which is possibly enough to stir an interest in this movie. But it can be assured, your attention may drift, and it would not be worth your time.It's not that difficult to understand because it is Australian, but just hard to keep your eyes open. Using several tropes and following two characters, it was easy to follow but rather a bore. The acting was good, the dialogue was fine. However, it was hard to take a liking to any of the main characters, Mr Wallace or Carey, the visual aesthetic was nothing special, and the plot was remarkably weak. The meaning of the film, is relevant in society, but it did not have impact. The tropes on love and decisions made the film predictable. The film had potential, but could have been a lot stronger. I would not recommend to anyone unless someone has some time and are okay with being bored a little, or is eager to see a average Aussie movie with some familiar names.

Mark Joffe started out directing television, as well as horror and action films of rather questionable quality. This is the first of four films he has directed of very much the same tone, which is to say - dramatic comedies with multiple main characters, all of which are slightly eccentric. Those other three films are "Cosi" (1996), "The MatchMaker" (1997), and "The Man Who Sued God" (2001). This film is probably the one with the most depth. Characters here have moments of such true comedic and dramatic expression. Even the strangest of the bunch seem like real humans.Anthony Hopkins is the real unexpected pleasure here. You rarely see him in comedies. Actually, I can't remember ever seeing him in a comedy before now. Certain passages in "The World's Fastest Indian" is about the closest it gets. There's a number of minor roles filled by some of my favorite actors. New Zealander actor Bruno Lawrence is always a pleasure to see. A young Toni Collette, Russell Crowe and Ben Mendelsohn are fascinating so early in their respective careers.On the whole, "The Efficiency Expert" (the title I saw it under) is a light film. But it's the commitment to acting talent and dramatic truth that gives it a little more guts. I'm glad I saw it.

I have just used this film to show the effects of a taylorist management style to my year 12 Business management students. Spotswood captures the problems involved in treating workers as just another resource to be exploited, very succinctly. I just loved the employees of this factory. They were all quite typical of Australians of this period, with names I haven't heard for years, like Wendy, Shirley and Cheryl! Their refusal to see the value in the efficiency improvements foisted upon them simply because they were so human, and needed to socialise neatly demonstrated just what is wrong with scientific management practice. I think this movie should be compulsory viewing for all Australians in view of the new industrial relations laws recently passed by the Howard government. Spotswood shows us just the type of community that we are losing as individualism becomes the dominant philosophy in society. In short spotswood neatly illustrated to my students concepts and theories that had been presented in class.

This film shows us a slice of Australian work life as globalisation takes over. The workers in a small shoe factory, having grown up with the "job for life" paradigm, are examined by an efficiency expert called in by the boss, a man who wants to "modernise" without cutting staff.Many well-known Australian actors appear in this film. It is a gentle and sympathetic look at the effects of economic change. The film also has comic moments where adolescent boys try to ask out a good-looking girl without much success.This film is not a "must-see", but it passes the time acceptably.