definitely one of cinema's best and under-recognized musical classics. i've loved this movie dearly since i first had the pleasure of seeing and hearing it back in 1982. unfortunately and obviously, i was one of the very few persons here in the States that did. throughout the decades i have always raved and tried to discuss this movie with cinema fans and fans of film musicals. it never fails to draw a blank with everyone. even to this day, there are only twenty reviewers of it on IMDb. compare with the hundreds of reviewers of say, 'High School Musical'. how sad. 'HSM' certainly isn't as bold or intelligent, it isn't even as much fun as this. and the music and dance numbers in 'HSM' aren't nearly as clever or good.Jo Kennedy and Ross O'Donavan give some of the best performances i have ever seen by teen age actors. the 14 year old Donovan is hilarious and brilliant, giving a performance that is wise beyond his years, and the unexpectedly versatile Jo Kennedy is a marvel. not only is her performance comic and her singing off the chart, she also walks a tight rope. yes. literally walks tight rope. this was well before CGI effects and that is obviously her doing her own stunt.in fact. the opening scene with O'Donvan encouraging Kennedy to walk a tight rope over a busy intersection wearing a bare breasted body suit, is so immediately engaging and side splittingly funny. i've seen few movies get this funny this fast.anyone new to the musical 'Starstruck', may be surprised to find that this isn't just a cute and amusing film musical, but is also really good, low budget Aussie cinema. it often feels like what a musical would be like if it were directed by Peter Wier. it's musical numbers are extremely funny and in the example of the dance number "we all live like ants", very unconventional and innovative.in fact this is one of the most unconventional musicals ever made. and it still continues to be more original than most, some thirty years later. most large budget fiasco's would do best to study how this simple film, on a very low budget, manages to be as clever and innovative and so charming with very little resource except inspiration.

The director of "My Brilliant Career", the Production Designer of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", a choreographer working without trained dancers, several script writers and many composers bring a low-budget post-punk vitality to Sydney Australia.As the commentary on the DVD mentions, the prints of Starstruck seem to have been severely cut in different releases, and this print has at least one song hacked out of the release I saw in 1982. Still, the bouncy energy survives. Teenage lust and ambition are tempered with working class family values. The homage to Richard Lester and gay Busby Berkeley routine are still hilarious, and the finale will have your toes a-tapping.

A Wonderful new wave camp classic,i normally don't really like musicals,but when i saw this back in the eighties i loved it. beautiful sexy Jo Kennedy plays an aspiring singer in Australia. her little cousin Angus,is her agent.campy fun movie with lots of great new wave musical numbers.pokes fun at the MGM musicals from the 40s and 50s.this was a little known,under-appreciated effort from down under. and seldom shown on TV.i don't think its out on DVD yet.but its a great movie.with colorful zany characters,its a cult film.Australia's greatest import since mad max.a must see for everyone even if your not into musicals like me.more then likely you will enjoy.10 out of 10.

I LOVE this movie! I would be endlessly happy if this would be released in the US on DVD, and also a CD for the soundtrack which is amazing. I had my cousin in Australia buy me the LP years ago, but no longer have the means to play it. I did put a couple of the songs on a walking tape I made years ago, and I never got tired of them. The music is very catchy. I've never seen Jo Kennedy in anything since, which is surprising, because I thought she was quite good. This is a very fun movie, full of great performances and quirky characters.I think this was the start of my love for quirky Australian films. I really do hope to own it on DVD someday! Please! Someone. Someone who has some influence. Please! :-)