Mental (15)

Based on the Australian film-maker's own life it reunites him for the first time since 1994 with Toni Collette, star of his critically acclaimed Muriel's Wedding.

From the priceless opening scene where Shirley Moochmore (Rebecca Gibney) is belting out The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music in her backyard to the horror of her kids I had no idea what was in store.

Writer and director PJ Hogan's unconventional look at mental illness keeps you off-kilter throughout with an inspired use of Roger and Hammerstein's unforgettable musical numbers.

Shirley lives vicariously through The Sound Of Music and the Von Trapps, whom she sees as the perfect family and wants her own to emulate.

Unable to cope with her five dysfunctional daughters, who all believe they have a psychological disorder, and philandering husband Barry (Anthony LaPaglia) who's the town's mayor, she suffers a nervous breakdown.

Hubby then commits her to a mental institution and unable to deal with his teenage girls, whose names he can't even remember, he picks up hitchhiker Shaz (Collette) and hires her to take care of them.

She is a dynamic and a scary force of nature as the knife-wielding, pot-smoking carer who shows the Moochmore girls how to stand up for themselves.

Mental is a suburban comedy which challenges the stereotypes of mental ill-health through ingenious humour, razor sharp dialogue, colourful characters and memorable performances.

It pulls no punches and deserves to be seen.