Although a tad heavy handed in its political messaging, The Merger never the less succeeds in creating a charming and funny mix of social issues, sports, and true-blue Aussie humour.

Politics is everywhere. In this post 9/11 world, none can escape political debate or messaging about every relevant social issue. Where movies have long been a medium with which to endorse, stir up debate, or even propagandise a political or social cause, sports have now become the new beacon for such things. Only see American sports leagues the National Football League and the National Basketball Association for proof. For Australia, the Australian Football League is by far the most politically active. It only makes sense then that the Aussie Rules field be the setting got charming Aussie tale The Merger.

The film stars and is written by comedian Damian Callinan, who adapted his own one-man show (in which the Melbourne based comedian played over a dozen characters) into this feature length film. Callinan plays Troy Carrington, a former AFL star turned activist, who is ostracised in his town of Bodgy Creek due to his political activism. When the local AFL club finds itself on the brink of collapse, Callinan volunteers to coach the Bodgy Creek Roosters on condition that recently arrived refugees join the club for both social goodwill and financial gain. Cue the anguished cries of many residents, key among them former coach Bull Barlow (John Howard.)

Joining this motley crew of somewhat athletes are migrants from Africa, Pakistan and Cambodia. Key among them is Sayyid (Fayssal Bazzi), a refugee from Syria who is waiting for his family to join him. Bazzi (who has quietly made a name for himself with turns in Downunder and 6 Days), truly shines in a breakout role that requires both key comedic timing and moments of powerful, sob-filled drama. He also plays the part of mouthpiece for Callinan’s strong views about the Australia’s immigration policy, an incredibly complex situation that deserves much more retrospection and examination than given here.

As a result, you cannot watch The Merger without thinking of it as a piece of activist entertainment, much like last year’s Three Summers. Yet thanks to the breezy direction of Mark Grentell (Backyard Ashes), plus the quality writing and performance from Damian Callinan, and The Merger succeeds as a personable and entertaining social comedy playing from the left-field.