Directed by Igor Auzins and written by Forrest Redlich, who created the Australian soap opera E Street, High Rolling has Tex (Joseph Bottoms) and Alby (Grigor Taylor) leaving behind their carnival jobs to head to the Gold Coast. They soon meet a hitchhiker named  Lynn (Judy Davis) and, along with two dancers, Barbie (Wendy Hughes) and Susie (Sandy McGregor), hijack a bus.

Tex is the impulsive American dreamer, while Alby provides the grounded, albeit reluctant, Australian counterpart. Their chemistry is the engine of the film, fueled by a 1970s obsession with the open road as a symbol of ultimate freedom.

What I didn’t like is that they get the Corvette they drive in by knocking out a gay man, Arnold (John Clayton) and then stealing the sports car. This scene is a jarring reminder of the year this came out. Using a marginalized character, even if they are the drug-dealing bad guy, as a punching bag to facilitate the protagonists’ journey complicates the likable rogue personas the movie tries to build for Tex and Alby.

At least the girls get to do their version of Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby.” And you get to see Chantal Contouri from The Day After Halloween and Thirst on the bus.

Also: Before she became an international multi-award-winning actress, Judy Davis made her film debut in this movie as Lynn.