The Coca-Cola Kid


The Coca−Cola Kid is an Australian romantic comedy film, released in 1985. It was directed by Dušan Makavejev and starred Eric Roberts and Greta Scacchi. The film is based on the short stories The Americans, Baby, and The Electrical Experience by Frank Moorhouse, who wrote the screenplay. It was entered into the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot

Becker, a hotshot American marketing executive from The Coca-Cola Company, visits their Australian operations in Sydney and tries to figure out why a tiny corner of Australia has so far resisted all of Coke's products. He literally bumps into the secretary who is assigned to help him.
Eventually Becker discovers that a local producer of soft drinks run by an old eccentric has been successfully fending off the American brand name products. The executive vows an all out marketing war with the eccentric but eventually comes to reconsider his role as a cog in Coca-Cola's giant corporate machinery. Along the way there are humorous subplots involving the office manager's violent ex-husband, Becker's attempt to find the 'Australian sound', and an odd waiter who is under the mistaken belief that Becker is a secret agent.

Cast

gave a copy of Frank Moorhouse's book The Americans, Baby to Dusan Makavejev when he attended the Sydney Film Festival in 1975 with Sweet Movie. Production of the movie was difficult in part because of Makavejev's work methods, which were different from the way films were normally made in Australia. Denny Lawrence came on board the film as a consultant.
The Coca-Cola Kid was shot on location in Sydney-various city landmarks can be seen briefly throughout the film.

Box office

The Coca-Cola Kid grossed $36,365 at the box office in Australia.

Home media

The Coca-Cola Kid was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in May 2009. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer, and an interview with Greta Scacchi and David Roe titled The Real Thing.
MGM Home Entertainment released the Region 1 DVD in the United States on April 16, 2002.

Accolades