Paperback Hero

And this isn't a criticism of the film. Paperback Hero is simple. It's a pleasurable comedy romance which stars Aussie would be pin up Hugh Jackman and the always loveable Claudia Karvan.

It is kept simple, especially the style of acting, and that's it's charm.

The plot isn't complicated by anything much more complicated than a smiling dog. Paperback Hero is sweet and unaffected just as films should be, every now and then.

Jack in Paperback Hero has written a women's novel but being a tough truckie doesn't want to put his name to the book. He uses his old mate Ruby Vales name (Claudia Karvan) but doesn't tell her.

Then a bottle blond publicist called Ziggy (Angie Millikin) turns up from Sydney waving money and a best seller before Jack's eyes. Jack and Ruby head for Sydney in the truck, Ruby still pretending to have written the book.

Ruby is slated for marriage to the local vet but she's not too keen and it's inevitable that Jack and Ruby will end up an item, it's just a matter of waiting till the end of the film. We're used to that. It's what we want, especially if the stars are as appealing as Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan.

Australian bush comedies often end up being somewhat embarrassing lampoonings of our precious heritage. Paperback Hero has stock bush pub characters but somehow manages to avoid making them seem ridiculous even if the film is a comedy.

A lightness of touch from new director Antony Bowman allows Paperback Hero to exhibit our more strident rural identities without causing a cringe. He should have a good handle on the plot though. He apparently wrote the novel upon which the film is based.

The language is often colourful but is uttered in the natural way we know is correct. The plot does get a bit fuzzy, especially with regards to Ziggy, but that's more than compensated for by big natural smiles from two very appealing lead actors.