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A Few Less Men

A Few Less Men is a adventure directed by Mark Lamprell and written by , serving as a to the 2011 A Few Best Men. The story picks up immediately after the events of the predecessor, following three English friends—David (), Tom (), and Graham ()—who must transport the body of their late friend Luke (James Helm) back to for burial after he accidentally falls off a cliff during a in the Blue Mountains. Stranded in the following an emergency plane landing, the trio embarks on a chaotic across , facing escaped convicts, wild animals, and other obstacles while improvising with limited resources. The film features supporting performances from actors such as , , and , and was produced by Feisty Dame Productions with a focus on humor derived from the characters' misfortunes and cultural clashes in the wilderness. Running for 92 minutes, A Few Less Men emphasizes and raunchy comedy elements, though critics noted its episodic structure and lack of originality compared to the original film. It premiered in on 9 March 2017 and earned a 4.8 out of 10 rating from over 1,800 users on , alongside a 15% Tomatometer score based on 13 reviews on (as of November 2025), where it was described as "recycled comedy" lacking sharpness.

Background and development

Relation to predecessor

A Few Best Men (2011) is an Australian-British comedy film directed by and written by . The story revolves around the chaotic preparations for a wedding in the Australian outback, centering on a British groom and his friends traveling from the . The film achieved modest commercial success, grossing $17.2 million worldwide against a of $15 million. This performance, particularly its strong opening in , prompted the development of a sequel announced in August 2015, with providing funding support. Dean Craig returned as writer for A Few Less Men, bridging the narrative by continuing the storyline directly from the events of the original film. The directorial role shifted from to Mark Lamprell, whose prior experience directing Australian comedies such as My Mother Frank (2000) made him a suitable choice for the project. The core cast from , including in the lead role of , reprises their characters in the .

The screenplay for A Few Less Men was written by , who had previously penned the predecessor A Few Best Men. As a , it builds on the themes of and chaotic misadventures, incorporating a narrative set against the expansive Australian outback. In August 2015, announced its backing of the project, with producers Tania Chambers, Laurence Malkin, and Share Stallings leading the effort alongside executive producer . The funding included an investment of A$3.19 million from , supplemented by support from Screenwest and private investors, enabling to advance toward a planned October 2015 start for . Casting announcements began in September 2015, confirming the return of , , and in their original roles from . was later added to the principal cast as the character Mike, joining alongside supporting performers such as and . Pre-production also involved selecting locations in to capture the film's adventure-comedy tone, with sites including , The Pinnacles, National Park, National Park, and Lancelin chosen for the road trip sequences following the initial Blue Mountains wedding premise.

Plot

Synopsis

A Few Less Men picks up minutes after the conclusion of its predecessor, , immediately following the wedding of David () in Australia's Blue Mountains, where his best men include Tom (), Graham (), and Luke (James Helm), who has just fallen off a cliff to his death during the celebrations. The central narrative arc centers on best man Luke's during the pre-wedding festivities, compelling the group to embark on a desperate journey transporting his body through vast and unforgiving terrain to reach and honor his wish for a funeral in . This adventure comedy unfolds over 92 minutes, highlighting themes of bungled attempts, physical humor, and the bonds of tested by mounting crises in isolated locales.

Key misadventures

The film opens with a chaotic celebration in the Australian Blue Mountains, where best man Luke, intoxicated during the speeches, stumbles and plummets off a cliff, leading to a frantic recovery effort by his friends David, Tom, and Graham as they navigate the treacherous terrain in tuxedos, amplifying the panic and initial disarray. Determined to honor Luke's wishes by transporting his body back to for burial, the trio secures a private jet from Mia's father but faces escalating peril when Graham's inept piloting causes a forced crash-landing in the remote Western Australian , stranding them with the corpse amid scorching heat and isolation, forcing improvised survival tactics that heighten the comedic tension. As they trek through the desert, the group encounters bizarre obstacles, including a band of ravers hosting an impromptu party, whose ecstatic dancing and hallucinogenic antics temporarily derail their progress and inject raunchy, improvisational humor into the ordeal. Further absurdity arises when they stumble upon a massive golden sculpture—a surreal roadside landmark—that becomes an unwitting comedic prop in their desperate attempts to flag down help, underscoring the film's penchant for crude, over-the-top visual gags. In the climax, the exhausted friends push toward a distant road, battling , , and the decaying body to secure , ultimately resolving their journey through sheer loyalty and absurd ingenuity, transforming the chaos into a testament to enduring friendship.

Cast and characters

Principal cast

The principal cast of A Few Less Men centers on the core group of friends whose chaotic journey drives the film's ensemble comedy, reprising and expanding roles from the predecessor . Xavier Samuel reprises his role as David Locking, the responsible and level-headed leader of the group, who navigates the misadventures with earnest determination while sporting a . Kris Marshall returns as , the charismatic and optimistic friend whose energetic antics and flirtatious nature contribute to the group's comedic chemistry. portrays Graham, the reluctant and buffoonish member of the trio, delivering humor through clumsy mishaps like crashing a private jet. Dacre Montgomery plays Mike, the enthusiastic newcomer to the group, injecting youthful energy and contrast to the established dynamics during their ill-fated road trip. James Helm appears as Luke, the boisterous Australian groom whose early death in a cliff fall propels the central adventure of returning his body home.

Supporting cast

Sacha Horler portrays Ranger Ruth, a no-nonsense encountered by the protagonists in the remote Australian , where she provides reluctant assistance amid their chaotic efforts to transport the deceased groom's body, contributing to the film's comedic mishaps through her exasperated interactions. Lynette Curran plays Maureen, an eccentric elderly woman who develops an unexpected romantic interest in one of the bumbling friends, injecting heartfelt yet absurd humor into the subplots as her advances complicate their predicament in the isolated setting. Deborah Mailman appears as Sergeant Simpson, a skeptical local police officer who interrogates the group over their implausible cover story for the coffin, amplifying the cultural clashes and escalating the comedic tension through her authoritative presence. embodies Mungus, a quirky who becomes an unlikely ally (and occasional antagonist) to the stranded wedding party, his rough-hewn demeanor and local wisdom underscoring themes of isolation and survival humor in the rugged landscape. Ryan Corr portrays Henry, Luke's antagonistic cousin who pursues the group, adding tension and conflict to their journey through the Australian . Jeremy Sims is cast as Pilot Pidgeon, the ill-fated aviator whose strands the characters in the , his brief but pivotal role kickstarting the central misadventures and emphasizing the film's motif of remote peril. Additional ensemble performers, including extras portraying outback locals and passersby, fill the background of the arid scenes, reinforcing the sense of vast isolation and opportunistic encounters that drive the secondary storylines.

Production

Filming

Principal photography for A Few Less Men commenced in late October 2015 in , , under the direction of Mark Lamprell, with Steve Arnold serving as . The production leveraged the region's diverse landscapes to authentically portray the film's road trip adventure through the Australian . Filming occurred across multiple sites in , including , The Pinnacles, National Park, National Park, and Lancelin. National Park's caves and nearby quarries provided the rugged settings for the and crash sequences, emphasizing the and harsh central to the story's misadventures. These locations were chosen for their natural authenticity in capturing the film's high-stakes journey following a mishap. The shoot presented logistical challenges inherent to remote outback production, such as transporting equipment and props through treacherous terrain and managing the demands of simulating a forced plane landing in isolated areas. Safety measures were essential for the action-oriented elements, including work around cliffs and sequences, to ensure the crew and performers navigated the unpredictable environment effectively.

Post-production

The post-production phase of A Few Less Men focused on refining the film's comedic timing through , scoring, enhancement, and limited visual work to achieve a cohesive 92-minute . was handled by a team led by Steve Burgess and Chris Goodes, who condensed the raw footage with multiple cuts to heighten pacing in the misadventure sequences. The music score was composed by David Hirschfelder, blending upbeat tracks for chase scenes with somber undertones for the body transport sequences to underscore the film's tonal shifts. Sound design emphasized comedic effects such as crashes and banter, with additional dialogue replacement () sessions conducted to refine accents and clarity, involving engineers like Lucy Messenger and Tania Payne. remained minimal, primarily enhancing the plane crash sequence through () for safety reasons during assembly.

Release and distribution

Theatrical release

A Few Less Men had its theatrical release on 9 2017, distributed by across the country. The film was classified MA15+ by the Australian Classification Board for strong coarse language, sexual references, and nudity. The marketing campaign targeted fans of the original film's comedy style, with official trailers released in September 2016 that showcased the sequel's raunchy humor, chaotic misadventures, and scenic outback settings. Promotional posters featured the principal cast in ill-fitting tuxedos amidst scenes of disorder, emphasizing the wedding-gone-wrong theme. Internationally, the film received a in the and select markets including , , , and during 2017, capitalizing on the return of actors and from the first installment.

Box office

A Few Less Men grossed $380,806 worldwide, failing to recoup its estimated production budget of $5–6 million. The film opened on approximately 100 screens, earning roughly $100,000 during its opening weekend before declining rapidly amid competition from major blockbusters. In comparison, the predecessor A Few Best Men earned $15.5 million globally, marking a significant underperformance for the sequel. Contributing factors included limited international distribution and mixed word-of-mouth.

Reception

Critical response

A Few Less Men received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with an aggregate score of 15% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews. On IMDb, the film holds a 4.8/10 rating from 1,827 user votes, though professional critiques focused on its execution as a comedy sequel. Critics praised the film's strong ensemble chemistry, particularly among leads , , and , who brought engaging energy to their roles despite the script's limitations. The use of landscapes, including rugged scenery, was highlighted for enhancing the visual comedy and elements. However, common criticisms centered on the film's formulaic sequel plotting, which lacked originality compared to raunchier U.S. comedies like The Hangover series, and featured uneven pacing that dragged in the later acts. Reviewers noted the humor as recycled and overly reliant on crude gags without sufficient sharpness or surprise. Notable reviews included , which described the film as "subtlety-free" with "corpse humor" but commended the cast's appeal. called it "recycled and lazy comedy," emphasizing its procedural feel and failure to innovate.

Audience reception

The film received mixed responses from audiences, with a 36% audience score on based on user ratings praising its chaotic humor while criticizing its lack of originality. On IMDb, it holds a 4.8 out of 10 rating from over 1,800 users, where some viewers highlighted enjoyment of the film's low-brow comedy and , describing it as a lighthearted despite pacing issues. Viewer demographics centered primarily on Australian and UK audiences, who appreciated the film's portrayal of British-Australian cultural clashes, such as the bemused English characters navigating the rugged . It held niche appeal among fans of low-budget comedies, with reviewers noting its defiantly silly tone reminiscent of raunchy ensemble farces. Home media releases included a DVD and Blu-ray edition in 2017 distributed by in , which increased its accessibility beyond theaters and contributed to sustained viewership. It became available for streaming on in select regions in 2018. As of 2025, the film is available on in and in the UK. The film received no major awards or theatrical revivals.

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