Malcolm (1986)

This week’s pick comes courtesy of longtime VHS Strikes Back Patreon supporter Herb, who’s chosen the delightfully oddball Aussie gem Malcolm from 1986. It’s a film that proves even the quietest, most socially awkward tram enthusiast can have a life of crime tucked beneath his cardigans. With its quirky charm, deadpan humor, and a DIY spirit that would make MacGyver jealous, Malcolm is a criminal caper unlike any other—and it’s all thanks to Herb's impeccable taste for the weird and wonderful.

Directed by Nadia Tass and written by Tass and her husband David Parker, Malcolm was made on a modest budget but with no shortage of creative flair. Shot in Melbourne and using the city’s trams as both setting and plot device, the film’s charm stems from its inventive low-fi gadgetry and the offbeat chemistry between its leads. The character of Malcolm was inspired by real-life eccentric inventors, and much of the film’s contraptions were built practically—no special effects, just good old-fashioned Aussie ingenuity. The movie was a critical darling in Australia, earning multiple AFI awards and cementing its place as a cult classic for fans of heartfelt oddities.

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Trailer Guy Plot Summary

Meet Malcolm—a painfully shy, tram-loving genius with a knack for building bizarre contraptions and no clue how to talk to people. But when he takes in a pair of dodgy housemates with a taste for petty crime, Malcolm’s quiet life gets a serious jolt of adrenaline. With his mechanical wizardry and their criminal know-how, the trio cook up the most unconventional heists Melbourne has ever seen. Get ready for exploding milk carts, remote-controlled getaway cars, and one socially awkward hero who proves that crime really can be engineered!

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