Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke

GoMovieReviews Rating: ★★★★

Rated: M

Directed and Written by: Lorin Clarke

Produced by: Richard Keddie

Starring: Sam Neill, John Ruane, Rhys Darby, Ernie Dingo, Ben Elton, Andrew Denton, Jana Wendt, Wendy Harmer, Shaun Micallef, David Wenham, Anne Edmonds, Oscar Kightley, Catherine Wilkins, Bryan Dawe.

But Also John Clarke is a documentary made by Lorin Clarke, John Clarke’s daughter.

A year before John died, Lorin recorded herself talking to John about his life and work because he never wanted to talk about himself, ‘because my life isn’t the point.’  But he did leave a gift to his children, a document titled, ‘For Lorin and Lucia’, that was the story of his life.

Piecing together her recording, her dad’s letter, television archives and anecdotes from his many friends and fellow comedians, Lorin has created a documentary giving insight about the man John Clarke, while sharing his world to all those who grew up with his brilliance, evoking memories of giggles and knowing laughs because he was able to reveal a truth with a sparkle in his eye.

The documentary opens to grass cut by a lawn mower.

It’s an ominous feeling, seeing those blades whirl.  Then, the voice over of Lorin, ‘This is my dad.’

The documentary features fellow comedians, writers and friends such as: Jana Wendt, Shaun Micallef and Ben Elton quoting John and talking about what impact he had on their lives.

Sam Neill describes John with emotion as, ‘Utterly unique.’

And there’s a touch of sadness here when Lorin puts the humour and memories into perspective because John is no longer with us, ‘It’s amazing how context changes everything.’

But the overriding feeling watching this documentary is mirth, interest and companionship as John continues to put the audience first as his daughter portrays the thought and intelligence behind the satire.

And continuing that idea of understanding the layers behind the funny is understanding the man, his history, his upbringing; his parents’ difficult relationship, John caught in the middle, trying to take nourishment from the good bits of each parent as they took swipes at each other using John as a weapon.

Then there’s the private school, Scots College in Wellington where he was told he’d leave the school as a different person, like there was something wrong with him as a boy.

His hate of authority stems, I’m sure in part, from holding the record for getting caned the most at his school.

John didn’t like being told what to do.

There’s exploration into his fascination with language and the English comedian Peter Cook (John’s version of a true comic master) which led John to the conclusion that he needed to work this comedy thing out for himself and do it his own way.

John also had a love and fascination of people so when he played characters, like the famous, Fred Dagg, he wasn’t making fun of New Zealand farmers, he was shining a light on New Zealand so people could laugh at themselves through recognition.

He always had that twinkle in his eye, Andrew Denton states, ‘He had that twinkle in his eye on the fucking radio.’

John was able to study comedy by analysing people.  Listening to adults as a boy understanding that adults used comedy to communicate.

Not much happened in New Zealand, so conversations were repeated throughout the day.

‘Another overcast day.’

Became something else, like, a cast over the day.

And the clever were able to repeat the repeatable in a creative, funny way.

But more than exploring John’s creative origins, Lorin wants to answer the question that people have asked her throughout her life, ‘What was he like as a dad?’

She explains, ‘This film is partly my answer to that question […] and my answer to the question beneath the question: Yes, your connection to John Clarke was real.  His relationship with his audience was something he treasured and protected and enjoyed.

Watching this documentary I was reminded of the time I was living at home with my parents in the 90s, watching, A Current Affair.  There was a segment featuring Bryan Dawe interviewing John Clarke as he imitated a politician that had my dad in hysterics.

The deadpan delivery was what made me giggle.

I’ll never forget watching Ray Martin interviewing John Clarke on 60 Minutes where they were walking together in serious conversation as John then walks across a trampoline, never missing a beat.

He was always able to tread that line of conveying the truth yet never getting Channel 9 sued because he could make what was unsaid part of his humour.

Think a sign hanging around the head of a dubious character, scratching his curly wigged head, saying, ‘Please look after this minister.’

As stated by Lorin, ‘If you’ve never heard of John Clarke or Fred Dagg?  This is for you.  A fun, silly, smart, hilarious reminder that however disempowered we feel in a world flooding us with reasons to be miserable, there’s power in finding the fun wherever we are.’

A worthy tribute and a pleasure to watch.