Twenty two years after it was released, Muriel's Wedding is still one of the most beloved Australian films of all time. It launched the career of then-unknown, Toni Collette, raked in almost $60 million worldwide at the box office, and introduced a whole new generation to the music of ABBA.
With the annals of time solidifying its cult status, its fans today are more passionate than ever - among them, Brisbane-based artist James Hillier, aka Nordacious. Next week he'll exhibit a selection of his Muriel's Wedding-themed artworks: Vivid, colourful pop-art pieces that have already amassed a cult following online.
Two stars from the original film will be on hand to help open the exhibition: Gabby Milgate (Joanie Heslop) and Gennie Nevinson, who played the homewrecking scarlet woman of Porpoise Spit, Deidre Chambers. We spoke to Nevinson to hear her memories about playing a vital part in one of the best films of the 90s.
"As much I'm grateful that I was in [the film], in fact it had a bit of a backlash for me in the next few years, because people really despised Diedre Chambers," Nevinson told news.com.au.
"There's obviously a cult of Muriel's Wedding fans - often gay guys - and they get excited when they see Diedre Chambers. They all love Diedre; I don't know if it's because she's such a bitch. But at the premiere, when Diedre comes out towards the end in her matching apron and gloves to clean up mum's house, people actually hissed!" Nevinson recalls.