AS the story of In Like Flynn unfolds, the viewer is told the biographical film is based on Tasmanian-born Errol Flynn’s novel Beam Ends, a mostly true account of the Hollywood legend’s early adventures.
The viewer is left to decide how accurate or embellished the screenplay is and the movie proffers an interesting background to Flynn’s swashbuckling roles and ladies’ man reputation; characteristics he inspired in the title’s well-known phrase.
Credits are included for co-writer and producer Luke Flynn, Errol’s grandson, and Corey Large, another co-writer producer, who plays Flynn’s mate and ex-bootlegger Rex.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWOpening in a picturesque but treacherous 1930’s Papua New Guinea, the fearless young Flynn (Thomas Cocquerel) guides a Hollywood producer through the jungle before stumbling on cannibals and dangerous wildlife.
He sees the potential to seek his fortune and in Depression-hit Sydney, he recruits his friend Rex, English gent and navigator Dook (William Moseley), along with Charlie (Clive Standen).
The men sail back to Papua New Guinea to search for gold.
Their daring voyage takes the adventurers along the east coast of Australia, where the men must deal with Chinese opium smugglers, crooked Townsville Mayor Christian Travers (David Wenham) and Flynn’s jilted flame Rose (Isabel Lucas).
In Like Flynn features intriguing and entertaining action scenes and plot twists aplenty, albeit an unconvincing crocodile attack and some of Standen’s moments talking about his lost family verge on laughable.
NIDA-trained Cocqueral has the charm and good looks to play Flynn and much like the actor he portrays, is a potential Hollywood success story.
THE ESSENTIALS
In Like Flynn (CTC)
Directed by: Russell Mulcahy
Starring: Thomas Cocquerel, Corey Large; David Wenham, Isabel Lucas
Three stars
Review by: Tanya MacNaughton
In cinemas October 11