Peter Faiman's surest skill is giving a relaxed comic performer room to work. His direction of Crocodile Dundee makes Paul Hogan agreeable company, though that same indulgence leaves the story and its romance underworked.
Fi1m perspective
In Crocodile Dundee (1986), Paul Hogan is allowed to be funny without looking busy. Peter Faiman gives him room, trusting the relaxed timing rather than demanding a fresh demonstration of comic effort in every scene. We warmed to Hogan because his ease makes even this thin story pleasant company. Faiman understands the appeal of watching someone who seems perfectly content to be himself.
The partnership had a television history: Faiman worked on The Paul Hogan Show before directing his first feature, Crocodile Dundee. The Don Lane Show was another part of his extensive work in variety and talk programmes. Those habits carry into the film, which gives its leading man ample time to establish his appeal. John Cornell produced and Russell Boyd was the cinematographer, but Faiman's most evident contribution is his patience with Hogan.
Yet the indulgence has a cost. New York accommodates Mick so readily that his confidence is rarely tested in ways that might surprise us, and the writing does little to alter our first impression of him. The romance never earns the affection Hogan does, while the uneven pace makes the slight story feel longer than it should. We recommend the film for his performance, but Faiman's willingness to keep it comfortable stops the comedy becoming sharper.
Faiman went on to direct Dutch (1991), another fish-out-of-water comedy, and to produce FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992), directed by Bill Kroyer. The animation offers a glowing glade, Tim Curry's smog-demon and Robin Williams's rapid delivery, while its heroes and environmental sermon are duller. Here, too, the comic performers are more engaging than the central characters, although we cannot attribute their success to a producer alone. Start with Crocodile Dundee for Hogan, and allow for a romance that is less persuasive than its leading man.
Biography
Peter Faiman is an Australian television producer and film director. Born in Melbourne in 1944, he began his career in Australian television and maintained a long association with the Nine Network, producing and directing programmes including The Don Lane Show (1975–1982) and episodes of The Paul Hogan Show.
Faiman directed the feature films Crocodile Dundee (1986) and Dutch (1991). He produced the animated film FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992). In 1981 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the media, particularly television production. He later contributed to international projects including the launch of the FX network and the opening and closing broadcasts of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
