Starstruck

Jackie Mullens works as a barmaid at her mother's pub and dreams of becoming a singing star. She jokes that a nuclear holocaust could end her chances, but her ambition remains clear. This sets the emotional stakes for the story.

Her scheming 14-year-old cousin Angus decides to become her manager, convinced he can push her toward fame. He hatches plans to get her noticed and believes TV exposure is the shortcut. He becomes a close, energetic driver of her early career.

At a local club talent night, Jackie’s performance captivates the audience and especially The Wombats. They see potential in her energy and style. The moment marks the first major step toward national exposure.

The Wombats officially become Jackie’s backing band after the talent-night showcase. They begin performing with her regularly, forming the core of her early sound. This collaboration anchors her rising career.

Jackie begins dating Robbie, the guitarist from The Wombats. Their relationship develops amid the pressures and distractions of her burgeoning fame. It becomes a personal counterpoint to her professional changes.

Angus calls The Wow! Show host Terry Lambert, claiming Jackie will perform a dangerous stunt to draw viewers. Terry, intrigued by the buzz, decides to feature her on the show. This move promises national exposure for Jackie.

The stunt doesn’t go as planned, but Terry still features Jackie on The Wow! Show. The appearance introduces a broader audience to her talent. The moment marks a turning point in her career trajectory.

Jackie develops a crush on Terry, and under his influence she tones down her quirky style and sound. She drops the Wombats from her act and changes her look, aiming for broader appeal. The transformation creates tension with her former collaborators.

Following her image overhaul, Jackie breaks up with Robbie, who disapproves of her new direction. The breakup underscores the personal costs of her career changes. Robbie’s loyalties contrast with Jackie’s evolving ambitions.

Jackie learns that Terry is gay, a revelation that humiliates her. In the wake of the embarrassment, she reconciles with Robbie. The fallout exposes the fragility of her recent choices.

Lou, Angus’s deadbeat father, returns and romances Pearl, but disappears with the pub’s money from the safe. The pub’s finances collapse, pushing Pearl and Jackie toward desperate measures. The family crisis adds urgency to the plot.

To save both the pub and Jackie’s career, Angus devises a plan to crash The Wow! Show’s New Year’s Eve talent competition. They intend to pose as stage crew and seize control of the stage. The stakes rise as the countdown to New Year’s Eve begins.

Jackie and The Wombats execute the plan at the Sydney Opera House during New Year’s Eve. They crash the competition and seize control of the stage, delivering a performance no one saw coming. The audacious stunt pays off in a surprising turn.

Jackie wins the $25,000 prize, becoming a star and securing the pub’s future. The victory vindicates Angus’s risky plan and her perseverance. The moment caps her rise from barmaid to celebrated performer.

The film ends with the sound of fireworks and a cut to black. Jackie has achieved stardom and the pub is saved, but the future remains open-ended. It closes on a note of celebratory ambiguity.