One test will be the political urge to soak the rich with higher levies--Australia's top personal income tax is already in the upper reaches of our annual Misery Index.
Aside from a ridiculous, tear-jerking plot twist that I won't type for fear of debasing my fingertips, the other characters are just there to have their floundering spirits lifted by Patch, or to angrily stand in his way while he tries to soak the vicinity with his unbridled wonderfulness.