The Castle, Rob Sitch

The Castle, directed by Rob Sitch, is a classic Australian film about an average, stereotypical, working class family, the Kerrigans. Through out the film Sitch presents an array of stereotypes associated with the white, working class, Austral ian family to the audience. Sitch conveys these ideas through the type of language, type of clothing worn, and the different views of life presented by each character. It is these simple details, such as, the attitudes, clothing and language, which allow the predominantly Australian fan base to relate so closely, but this is only one viewing of the film, different types of people will read in to different parts and leave feeling different things about the film, for example some one who has been in the same position as the Kerrigans might feel great respect for Daryl, where as, some one who comes from a commercial back ground might feel as though Daryl is just one of those ‘waist of space’ people who constantly get in the way of big developments. Either way every one who has ever watched The Castle has walked away being able to relate to at least one of characters, whether it is Daryl of the judge in the high court, and this is all due to the simple techniques used, language, clothing, and their general view on life.

The language used by in the castle varies from character to character, for instance Dale, the narrator and youngest member of the Kerrigan family uses really simple language and gets straight to the point. This is supported by a conversation between Dale and his oldest brother Wayne, who is in prison,

Wayne: “How's Mum?” 

Dale: “Good.” 

“How's Dad?” 

“Good.” 

“How's Trace?” 

“Good.” 

“How are you?” 

“Good.” 

“How's Steve?” 

“He's all right.” 

“Good.” 

Dale: [voice-over] “We could just chat for hours.” 

This is just one example of Dales basic intellectual skills. Another Australian stereotype the excessive use of course language, this is shown by most characters throughout the film, with exceptions...