Awesome Movie

The movie's only flaw is also a virtue: It's jammed with characters, stories, warmth and laughs.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I had a unique perspective on this film, having spent my teenage years in the area as a migrant to NZ, I had returned for matters concerning my own elderly father, and spent some time in Roxburgh last year before finding this film, which I watched twice over on the airplane (ANZ)returning home. I was particularly struck by the message that it conveys regarding migration, something of much relevance to all New Zealanders who don't claim native status. It was the idea that migrants often have compelling reasons to leave - both for past generations and for young New Zealanders who make all or part of their careers abroad, like Sam Neill himself. New Zealanders who investigate their family tree in the UK or elsewhere often discover rather sordid details - abandoned wives, deceptions etc. which are then glossed over in the new life. Not just NZ of course, the USA has much the same pattern. The sub plot of religion in the film had that feel of covering over such truths about abandonment, as well as the revelation about the true feelings of the brother who stayed home,and his actions. So being sensitive to this, and knowing very well the particular High School situation portrayed, I thought it not only conveyed the small town desperation syndrome very well portrayed by Maurice Gee in his writing, but a wider thinking about 'home' which can cause problems when the 'prodigal' New Zealander who lives abroad actually does 'come home' for a while. New Zealanders are supposed to be the most travelled people on earth. But whereas the Irish have widely studied the effects of their 'diaspora' on family stability and relations, New Zealanders are rarely so introspective. I think this film is a great effort at helping to value knowledge about and support for migrants of all kinds. More than that, the journalist's career abroad and the effect on him psychologically, showed a support for the less fortunate (such as victims of forced migration and asylum in war) that is often difficult to convey to those happy in the wealth and peace of New Zealand. So the film showed the selfish side of apparent stability and security which can be an insular anti-intellectualism as well.Not sure this film can be shown to school children in NZ, but certainly worth showing to teachers everywhere.

One of the most touching films I've seen in a long time, a complicated story that unwinds slowly but powerfully due the the directing and performances of the fine cast. This film really needs to be seen, it's been buried and badly handled in that it's not out there. I had the rare opportunity to see it at a special private screening...almost no one in the USA has seen it at all, in spite of heavy festival play. Emily Barclay who play the young girl and narrates much of the film is an emerging NZ talent in league with Keisha Castle-Hughes. Mathew McFayden gives a multi-layered and complicated performance as a man estranged from the family he left behind as a teenager. The casting is believable for every character and the audience is drawn into the story. Can you hear me Weinstein Brothers-- someone needs to pick this one up and run with it!

Well I've just had the sheer pleasure to this great piece of cinema, at a festival in Leipzig, Germany. And by pure chance, too. Despite of me being a big fan of NZ and having traveled allover the place, I still only went in, because Scoop, the new Woody Allen was sold out. And it couldn't have been better, I promise. Just as one expects, the scenery just never fails to make you smile and just wanting to be there immediately. It lures you into it. So one may be quick to wonder, why someone would ever want to leave such a beauty, as our main character. But every beauty has it's dark side and it's secrets. Not only since Mr. Lynch do we know, that quiet and nice small places, in very beautiful sceneries, are in fact bound to hide some of the most ugly and best kept secrets of them all. Here they all seem to circle round his fathers den, the black hole. This place is an of the author brilliantly thought-out thing and for the story serves as a wormhole to travel in time, as well as a simple eye of the storm, around which everything seems to circle for the main characters. So the story slowly begins to unravel before us and very slowly puts the pieces of the true story and it's meaning together. But with each step forward it needs to go further back to bring us closer to the next question and maybe the truth. Even though it is not Memento or Waking Life, it still takes some of our own thinking and action as an audience, to actually put the pieces together, although it's a beautifully simple plot line and a not too complex story. This is were you can see how great it really is. How tightly written and well working it is and how awesome each and every character is portrayed as well as played. And if a den can be portrayed just as well, with an actual feel and real character and thoughts of wonders and dreams and wishes, that every boy or girl would love to call their own, here is one. Finally, it seems to put them all back in their places, even if they tried to run away or hide, from it's unbelievable truth. So this is not a feelgoodmovie or easygoing popcorn fun, it's a very touching and tender, yet tight and gripping film, that deals with the depressions and psychology, in it's very own and special, delicate way. Sadness will prevail. If you like anything about Requiem for a Dream, Mystic River, Virgin Suicides or 21 grams. please go see this movie if you can. As I have learned, tonight was the test for it's European release, so in the very near future it will be on the screen in Europe, at least. And yes by the way the soundtrack is also very good and Patty Smith never felt more healthy and well misplaced. Good on ya ma-tee!

I recently purchased this movie from amazon.uk on a recommendation from a friend. It is an amazingly touching and well written film. I was intrigued at seeing Matthew Macfadyen in this role, being a fan of the television show Spooks, and I was not disappointed. He does an amazing job as the emotionally scarred photographer coming back home for the first time in 17 years. I was so touched by the storyline that after the movie was over I couldn't get it out of my head. I had to watch it again. I love all the interpersonal relationships, and the detail we are shown for all of them.If you can find this movie anywhere, I say rent it or buy it. It may not be an action adventure, but it will move you more than bombs and car chases ever could.