Kenny 2006

Kenny Smyth is a mockumentary that follows the title character through his daily life. The film offers a warm, observant look at his work and his personal relationships as Kenny goes about his day-to-day activities and speaks directly to the camera and to his audience. Kenny provides a very basic but essential service to the community: portable toilets.

Viewers watch Kenny interviewing potential clients and taking part in major public events. It becomes clear that he cares about the details—what food and drink will be served at these events—because those choices determine the level of service he provides. He is never ashamed of his profession, even when some people, including family, look down on it. He sees value in his work, and even the most glamorous events still rely on him to keep things running smoothly.

Life’s complexities come into focus through the needs that his work meets. He takes his Jesse to visit his Father, but their plans are complicated by his ex-wife’s obstruction and the bitterness that lingers with his father.

When he travels to Nashville to attend a toilet convention, he’s thrilled to travel beyond his native Melbourne. There, his ingenuity, friendship, and commitment to his profession open doors in Japan and hint at a new relationship with Jackie Sheppard, a flight attendant, but he must return home prematurely when his father suffers a medical emergency.

In an attempt at bonding, Kenny, his wealthy brother David and their father go camping. After half a day, David leaves in disdain. When Kenny tries to defend David, his father tells him to step out of his brother’s shadow and stand up for himself, which prompts Kenny to reconsider his life. He reveals that his success in Nashville has led to the offer of a promotion, and though his father urges him to accept, Kenny is unsure.

When Kenny’s ex-wife unexpectedly leaves him with Jesse on the day of the Melbourne Cup, his busiest day of the year, Kenny finds his son to be an able and cheerful assistant. However, prejudice against his work again appears, with customers complaining that a child should not be made to clean toilets, prompting Kenny to ask Jesse to stay in the office. When he returns to find Jesse gone, Kenny searches the venue in a panic and eventually finds him at the toilets, wanting to help again.

That night, as he is about to drive away in his septic tank truck after a long and exhausting day, Kenny’s way is blocked by a luxury car whose driver insensitively brushes off his requests to move. Kenny breaks his longstanding habit of amiability to fill the man’s car with human waste, a moment that perhaps signals he will stand up for himself a little more. Finally, Kenny declines the opportunity to become an executive and seeks out Jackie Sheppard to renew their relationship.