In the year of police academies and street hero's, snuck in this enthusiastic though underrated little gem, about a likable teen from a broken family, who with his quick smarts and glib tongue, is always eluding authorities, and just constantly getting himself in trouble. Rod Zuanic, as the lead, Steve Carson is brilliant, turning in just what is a naturalistic and infectious likable performance, which questions, is he really acting? It's his movie, and that's what this 84 Aussie one will be remembered for. Like his older brother, who steers him in the wrong direction, like selling drugs on school campus, it's sad to see the direction, Steve's life is taking. His father is an alcoholic (an amazingly believable performance by Peter Hehir) and mother (Julie Mcgregor) has split, now going out for a man who owns a patisserie. She too, doesn't seem too interested in Steve's welfare, where to be honest, I liked the father better. Steve's only real friends are a girl he's sweet on, and his mate (Christopher Truswell- nudge from Hey Dad) who does a brilliant Frank Spencer impression, better than the clumsy klutz himself. Fast Talking is full on, in your face, not making any excuses, drama/comedy. The movie doesn't offer a solution, or a character turn as in the end credits which kind of throw us, or numb us with the point I just made about a solution. It just keeps on rolling like the character self. Steve Bisley is good, an ex con mechanic, who fires Steve's older brother, for using the premises, as a drug exchange, who befriends Steve, where you hope his words of inspiration, and life experience may change Zuanic's view, as we really root for him through the wholew movie, while feeling sorry for him. Be appreciative for Tracy Mann's screen time in this as a new teacher, who becomes another teacher figure to Zuanic. This was a movie, that didn't get the exposure it should of. For Zuanic, he's another good actor wronged, as to what his career dimly ensued. Good acting by all in this, who all pull their weight. You take the movie for what it is. A juicily entertaining film that plays by it's own rules. Even the detectives that visit the high school from a traveling stretch of Bondi Beach to Botany, don't seemed too concerned, about the drug problem.
