Sweetie

Sweetie, in Australia on ABC iview, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV, does something a lot of comedies forget to: it's consistently funny. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 117 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Geneviève Lemon is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on ABC iview.

There is a reason Sweetie keeps coming up in conversation. The jokes in Sweetie land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. The buttoned-down, superstitious Kay is attempting to lead a normal existence with her new boyfriend Louis. That’s until Sweetie, her rampaging, devil-may-care sister, returns home after an absence, exposing the rotten roots of their family and placing a strain on Kay and Louis’ relationship. The chemistry Geneviève Lemon and Karen Colston bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. It was released in 1989. The timing in Sweetie is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Sweetie is a strong candidate. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Geneviève Lemon's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.

Sweetie was released in 1989, directed by Jane Campion. The full 100-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.