CAMERAS began rolling yesterday on Mental, the new movie reuniting Muriel’s Wedding director PJ Hogan with Toni Collette.

The plot centres on Barry Moochmore, who commits his wife to a mental hospital and then finds himself alone with five teenage daughters.

He impulsively picks up a hitchhiker named Shaz and installs her as the nanny in their home.

Queensland Arts Minister Rachel Nolan said the movie would be filmed on the Gold Coast and provide a boost for the economy.

“The Bligh Government, through Screen Queensland, has invested $550,000 in the production of Mental, as well as providing scouting assistance for the film’s locations,” Ms Nolan said.

“This is a valuable investment that will generate $7.3 million in Queensland production expenditure, employing over 250 Queensland cast and crew.”

Mr Hogan has an impressive resume, after penning the successful chick flicks My Best Friend’s Wedding and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Screen Australia’s chief executive Ruth Harley said she was thrilled to announce her organisation’s involvement in Mental.

“PJ Hogan is a hugely talented filmmaker whose studio-financed films have grossed in excess of half a billion dollars and attracted a consistent level of critical acclaim,” she said.

“Add into the mix the delicious prospect of PJ teaming up again with Toni Collette, one of Australia’s most gifted comic actresses, and we look set to see a wildly entertaining film.”

Mental is produced by Queensland production company Story Bridge Films with LA-based Zucker Productions and is due for release in 2012.