The last couple of times I've headed to the cinema running a little behind schedule, I've been saved by first a fire alarm, and then some other technical issue resulting in a delay that meant I didn't miss out. Upon hearing that much of Auckland was without power this afternoon, shortly before I was to leave home yet again in a hurry, I began to wonder if I was cursed (or blessed). Luckily, my dash to the ferry and bus were not in vain, and the movie was running.
And if there's a movie worth travelling thourgh peak hour traffic on a bus, it might just be I'm Not Harry Jenson.
I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that this is the best New Zealand film I can remember seeing. Surely, I have a crap memory, and I can't recall the last NZ film I saw, but I'm sure it was popular and well-received. And yes, I enjoyed this so much more than Avatar!
I went along to the Film Talk session held at the Rialto in Newmarket, a discussion/chat (led by Toa Fraser) with the writer/director/producers, and actors. I don't know much about film-making, but hearing their stories was very interesting.
One of the actors was Cameron Rhodes, who I (first and) last saw on stage at the Herald in Silo Theatre's production of Loot, as the rather obnoxious and somewhat larger than life (as are all the characters in that play) Truscott. He was excellent in this film, as Rick, and I hear he got pipped at the post for a Qantas award by Peter O'Toole (winning, funnily enough, for Toa Fraser's Dean Spanley).
It was definitely a standout performance by Gareth Reeves, as Stanley, a writer haunted by his subject matter and deadlines.
I didn't know much about the film before I went, apart from it being the subject of an innovative marketing campaign, and having a low budget. The size of the budget was not visible in the quality of the film, at least not to this average film-goer. It features quality actors (Ian Mune, people), and is richly shot. It is beautiful (and a little bloody), and not scenic in the cheesy "lets offer tours of the film set, and show off how pretty NZ is" of some big-budget hype-fests. There are picturesque moments as the characters hike through the bush, but these are not wasted moments, and are a counterpoint to a gritty storyline and what seemed to me to be good honest people (well, obvious character and plot points aside).
We were told during the talk afterwards that there was an issue with the sound due to some conversion process for the sound system used in cinemas (compared to the film festival release), which disappointed the producer, but I wouldn't have guessed there was an issue. A little bit of "double talk" or echo in one scene actually fit OK with the contemplative moments! Still, I'm sure they'll work that one out in time for the general cinema release in a couple of days - and that'll give me a reason to go again!
Now, I'm not one to tell anyone to support something just because it's kiwi-made (as anyone familiar with my aversion to those NZ marked books in the library can attest). Quality is what matters, and for that reason I'll tell you to go and see I'm Not Harry Jensen. It's good!
Take your friends, or tell them to see it at their local cinema. But yeah, it's a good kiwi film, a good film in general, with twists and turns, characters you can relate to, and dislike, and well, a little murder. You should see it.
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