Awkward high school senior Danny (Ben Mendelsohn) is struggling with the pressures of school, an odd-bod family and the opposite sex – especially the latter – while earning a part-time crust as a carpark attendant and dreaming of Jaguar ownership.

First published in the July 2025 issue of Street Machine

With best mates Vangeli (Angelo D’Angelo) and Mark (Damon Herriman) egging him on, Danny finally musters the courage to ask school hottie Joanna (Claudia Karvan) on a date. However, in a blind fit of desperation, Danny brags to Joanna that he’ll pick her up in his new Jag, and when she agrees to the date, he’s left scrambling to save face and find the right car in time.

Danny soon finds himself at the dodgy Geoff Mullens Motors caryard, where the world’s sleaziest used car salesman, Gordon Farkas (Steve Bisley) reels him into a deal on a seemingly mint Jag via smooth-talking banter with fellow salesman, Frank (Frankie J Holden). Danny secures the Jag at ridiculous finance rates, using a recent 18th birthday present, his parents’ beloved old Nissan Cedric, as a trade.

The Cedric was absolutely adored by Danny’s odd but well-meaning parents Desmond and Edith (brilliantly played by Marshall Napier and Maggie King, respectively), who now feel betrayed by Danny’s actions.

Undeterred, Danny and his new Jag hit the road for his date with Joanna, and it all seems to be going swimmingly until he’s coerced into a street race with some local hoons in a GTO. The Jag throws a leg out of bed during the race, and Joanna, appalled by Danny’s behaviour, storms off.

Danny and his mates soon realise that Farkas has switched engines with a crook one out of his own Jag, so the trio hatch a plan to change the motors back. But can Danny win back Joanna’s affections and the respect of his parents?

VERDICT: 5/5

Featuring a number of fine Aussie stars – not least of which is Vangeli’s period-perfect, LTD tail-light and Chev badge-equipped HJ Monaro – The Big Steal is an absolute gem. The script is fun and clever and uses supporting narration that actually works, while the Magna and Camira-filled backgrounds and a cracking Aussie soundtrack will give those of a certain age a nostalgic reminder of formative days. Watch for Tim Robertson as Joanna’s dad; he nails the protective father role to comical perfection!

VEHICLES:

• 1971 Jaguar XJ6
• 1974 HJ Holden Monaro
• 1964 Nissan Cedric
• 1974 Jaguar XJ6
• 1966 Pontiac GTO
• 1990 Nissan Pintara
• 1973 Chevrolet Caprice
• 1972 Volvo 144
• 1974 Daimler Sovereign
• 1975 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider

STARS:

• Ben Mendelsohn
• Claudia Karvan
• Marshall Napier
• Steve Bisley
• Damon Herriman
• Angelo D’Angelo
• Maggie King
• Tim Robertson
• Frankie J Holden

DIRECTOR:
Nadia Tass

ACTION:
Smoky open-wheeler burnouts paired with plenty of sideways chase action.

PLOT:
A shy teenager navigates the highs and lows of life as he tries to secure both the girl and the car of his dreams.

AVAILABLE:
Streaming (Prime, Foxtel Now, ABC iView, Brollie, Apple TV, Fetch), Blu-ray, DVD.

COOL FLICK FACT:
The husband-and-wife team of writer David Parker and director Nadia Tass were also responsible for another classic Aussie flick, 1986’s Malcolm (Fanging Flick, SM, Sep ’20).