Lesson 6.2 - The Castle

Enter the Kerrigan family. 

The most extraordinary Australian family is introduced to us in this 1997 Australian comedy, "The Castle". The Kerrigan family have been living next to Melbourne Airport for a long time. They are a contented family, proud of the "strategically located" house they have made into their home. Little do they know that one day, the news of plans to expand the airport would disrupt their happy little lives. Darryl Kerrigan (father) sets out to defend and eventually saves his home from being taken away from the family, on the premise that their house is more than just brick or mortar, but a home, where love and family is.

Above: The Kerrigan Family

From Left: Steve, Sal (mum), Darryl (Dad), 

Tracey, Con, Wayne and Dale Kerrigan

In my opinion, this family is the most unusual family ever! Bluntly put, they are rather simple, and are the most optimistic people I have ever seen (Probably because the father figure, Darryl Kerrigan is optimistic, therefore it translates to the others in the family?)! They live next to an airport which makes them have to deal with:

EVERYDAY. 

Interestingly enough, they are rich enough to be able to own another piece of land where they have built a holiday house. Even more interesting is the location of the house which you would see if you watch the show =) They go there often as a treat [Above]. 

In spite of some circumstances (brother being in jail), they are the most functional and happy family ever [Above]. I particularly liked the family values in this show. Darryl Kerrigan's character is indeed very admirable and respectable as a father who leads his family by example (he loves Sal Kerrigan (mum) very much and shows her much affection, he spends time with his children and loves every one of them, he encourages and builds up each member of the family), a man who fights for his home, and one who remains a positive attitude, well, most of the time.

Above: Darryl Kerrigan entrusts defending of his house to 

Dennis Denuto, a small time lawyer who is not competent

in this field. Darryl however, has full faith in Dennis.

Above: Lucky Darryl meets Lawrence Hammill who

saves the day by willingly representing Darryl and putting up 

a good fight that ultimately ends in the Kerrigans

not having to move out of their home. 

Kerrigan family aside, what is the psychology of humour? What makes something funny to us? Humour is experienced in response to cognitive shifts in perceptions of a particular target (Shiota & Kalat, 2012). For instance, irony can change one's whole perspective of a situation. In the show, the Kerrigans bought a place next to the airport. They were so proud that they got it for a cheap price and thought they got a steal when in fact it is because no one wants to have a home beside a noisy and dangerous location. Also, the way Darryl
Kerrigan is so proud his daughter went to College - to be a hairdresser, is compared to Lawrence Hammill's son who graduated as a lawyer, a profession that is stereo-typically looked upon as a much higher status job as compared to a hairdresser. Also there is a lot of "stating the obvious" and "lame" moments in the show that switch the audience's attention from their own assumptions to something totally unexpected. The humour also only works when it comes by surprise. For example, one may not find the joke particularly funny while watching it the second time.

All in all, I thought the show was rather.... interesting (for lack of a better word). Not really my taste, but I can say that I really enjoyed watching a show in which genuine family love was portrayed, something not common nowadays!  


For more info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118826/
Movie bits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM-GVRvsZrA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14wI2U49OLY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dik_wnOE4dk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITUSZ6LRHrk&feature=related