The Sydney Morning Herald (1996)

These days Collette is most likely to be spotted in Hollywood society pages, looking lithe and radiant.

Twenty-three-year-old Toni Collette’s ability to embrace the love handles of her own femininity, as well as reach the Tim Tam in all of us, has made the Australian actress from Blacktown an international movie star in double-quick time. She began her career as the plain girl Ben Mendelsohn ignored in “Spotswood” six years ago, and captured global accolades as the happy tattle from Porpoise Spit in PJ Hogan incredibly successful “Muriel’s Wedding” in 1994. In between, Collette went to acting school, played one of Bluebeard’s very upset dead wives in the theatre production of “Blue Murder” and spent a lot of time perfecting the art of self-transformation – gorging to flesh out Muriel’s full curves, and slogging at the gym to lose them again.

These days, the Sydney-based actress is most likely to be spotted in Hollywood society pages, looking lithe and radiant as she parties with the likes of Sharon Stone and Barbara Hershey. You can see her as a skinny junkie in the soon-to-be-released “Cosi” (also starring Ben Mendelsohn and Aden Young), and as the young, nubile Bee Miles character in “Lilian’s Story” (starring Ruth Cracknell). She has also recorded the Crowded House hit “Don’t Dream It’s Over” for “Cosi”. But these cameos are just a taste of Collette’s forthcoming triumphs, which include the role of Harriet opposite Gwyneth Paltrow and Greta Scacchi in Miramax’s new version of Jane Austen’s “Emma”, and her role opposite Matt Reeves and Barbara Hershey in “The Pallbearer”. Like Nicole Kidman, she’s the product of the Australian Theatre For Young People. Gawky teenage girls everywhere should take note: a sense of humour can take you to the top.

“Muriel’s Wedding” is screening on Saturday at Coogee Beach. 8.30 pm.