The Merger (2018)

"The Australian stage is so chock full of great stories that it is a constant oddity of the local film industry that so few of them are ever adapted into movies. I’m not exactly sure how comedian Damian Callinan’s one-man show could have possibly worked on stage considering the logistics of its sprawling character-focused story. It was, however, nominated for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s prestigious Barry Award and toured for six years, so far it be it for me to question that."

"It's not mountain-moving stuff, but nor is it devoid of care and consideration. The Merger is well made play-to-the-bleacher-seats entertainment."

"The Merger has a massive heart, and it’s unequivocally in the right place."

"A forced would-be charmer where character is awkwardly emphasised over football and uncomfortably strained points are made about refugees."