In 2004, the Australian film Strange Bedfellows made its debut.
Starring Paul Hogan and Michael Caton, it tells the story of two mates in a small town who decide to pretend they are a gay couple in order to cash in on tax benefits.
Crocodile Dundee star Hogan plays Vince Hopgood, a local businessman who owns a cinema and several other small businesses. He is facing difficulties paying his taxes following a divorce that has left him strapped for cash.
After hearing about a new tax break available to same‑sex couples, Vince convinces his best mate, Ralph Williams (Caton), to pretend to be his partner—on paper only—in order to access the tax benefits. The pair are both members of the local volunteer fire brigade.
It is hard to keep a secret in a small town, though, and before long the new “couple” are forced to maintain the charade to avoid being exposed for tax fraud. Complicating matters further is the unexpected arrival of Ralph’s daughter, Carla, who has news of her own.
he film was a big hit with Australian audiences, who enjoyed seeing two of the country’s most iconic actors come together on screen.
While Hogan is adored for his Crocodile Dundee persona, Caton holds a special place in the nation’s heart thanks to his role as Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle.
Following the success of Crocodile Dundee in the 1980s, Hogan’s subsequent films did not enjoy the same level of success. His 1990 film Almost an Angel was a critical and commercial failure, and 1994’s Lightning Jack was also savaged by critics.
Hogan appeared in Flipper in 1996 and returned to the Crocodile Dundee franchise in 2001. After a string of box office disappointments, Strange Bedfellows marked a commercial comeback.
It was the most successful Australian film of 2004, accounting for approximately 40% of the local box office. However, the film arguably has not aged well, relying on stereotypes about gay couples and language that now feels uncomfortable.
The supporting cast included several notable Australian actors, such as Paula Duncan, Roy Billing and Shane Withington, as well as British actor Pete Postlethwaite.
Plagiarism concerns
In 2007, the US film I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James, was released.
The film centres on two New York firefighters who pretend to be gay in order to access healthcare benefits for one of them.
Audiences and film critics noted the similarities between the plot and Strange Bedfellows, which had been released just a few years earlier. The Australian film’s producers subsequently filed a lawsuit against the US film.
The matter was ultimately resolved when the filmmakers behind I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry demonstrated that a draft of their script had been developed well before Strange Bedfellows entered production.
