Pop star
Phil Collins abandoned his usually sunny persona for a more sinister role in this unusual comedy thriller from Australia. Jonathan Wheats (
Hugo Weaving) and his best friend Michael Allen (Peter Mochrie) have a fondness for pranks and a childish sense of humor that is a frequent source of aggravation for his wife Beth (Josephine Byrnes). One night, Beth arrives home in the midst of a robbery. She impulsively grabs a crossbow and kills the masked intruder, who appears to be Michael. While the law clears Beth in what is judged to be an accidental death, Jonathan files the claim on the stolen property including a silver cutlery set. But the insurance company sends out Roland Copping (Collins) to investigate the crime; Copping has a strange kind of wit to rival Jonathan's, as well as a bitter and vengeful streak against the couple who he feels are trying to cheat him. Frauds was the debut feature for writer and director
Stephan Elliott, whose next film would be the international hit The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide