User Reviews

This could've been a good movie. The ideas are there, it's just the execution that's abysmal. Everything about it seemed clumsy and unmotivated, especially the "horrible crime" that came out of nowhere and left an incredibly sour taste in my mouth.

The main character seems very stereotypical, reminding me of the amazingly lame drug education dramas that would be put on at high school. He uses forced lingo and is generally unconvincing. As for his crime, he seems too nervous when making the break in to have the capacity to commit it, let alone commit it so quickly.

Perhaps if some real effort had been put into character development there may have been something interesting here, but instead it remains an incompetent, shallow grab at edginess.

Wow! Just saw an old low res version on my laptop Okay this is a tough movie and I need a walk and some fresh air now thats fur sure but this movie blew me away It challenged me, moved me, made me laugh and cry I cant understand why this movie isn't going to play at the cinemas here! What is the problem folks? I mean compared to recent Kiwi fodder like Apron Strings, Show of Hands etc it is a masterpiece in terms of ideas, performance, direction etc Lets hope it gets an audience on DVD, I'll be spreading the word thats for sure! Also hear through the grapevine that there's a live streaming happening soon, that'l be interesting, how people will respond Wicked

I saw this film on my computer during the free online screening, which I thought was a fantastic idea! Especially for a film like this that is not playing at cinemas but really deserves a wide exhibition and would probably just disappear of the radar and grow quietly and steadily through word of mouth. DENIAL AND IGNORANCE! I just read the review by the guy who thought it was crap and laughed out loud. I mean his comment about the quality of the film-making and even worse not understanding the crime Gary commits and how he needed it to be a crime of passion???? !!! for it to work for him. mmmm yes...Obviously he was very upset by the film which is revealing in itself. To me the film is a litmus test for intelligence and open mindedness. The film does tackle some tough and dark issues but the story is told so well and we are drawn into the scenario as it unfolds having empathy for the main character after he commits a crime that is going to repulse most and many would kill him for I am sure. I can speak for myself when I say that I was genuinely moved and challenged by this little film. I thought the performances where fantastic esp Gareth Reeves as Gary and the direction was great, loved the soundtrack also... God I get a little depressed when NZ films like No 2, In my fathers Den,Black Sheep, Show of Hands, Apron Strings and many others get friendly reviews and universal praise when they don't deserve it and a film like this has a really tough time. Anyway I hope the people behind the film are able to make more and looking forward to the next one!! I read in an interview it was a tough road to get it made.

I like Gregory Kings Films. I saw his first feature film (Christmas) a while ago, and because of that made sure i saw his new one at Rotterdam.

Both films are about the seedier "real' side of life. The banal underbelly.

New Zealand looks like an interesting place - this film is as far away from the Lord Of The Rings stuff as you could imagine.

It's a very gritty movie, and seeing that poster image brings it all back.

Very haunting.

I won't forget it in a hurry.

There are many, many moments that knocked me for dead

The opening sequence had me squirming in my chair, it goes on so long - and I was holding my breath!

The final scene is stunning too. Perfect, perfect way to end it - it doesn't tie it all up neatly but allows the experience to live on denying easy consumption and easy answers!

I love that pink Balaclava too!

and so many great details through it - anyway don't want to spoil

but i can say that I loved the circularity of its narrative structure and the recurring images that come back distorted -

That whole party sequence - brilliant

Anyway i guess I was expecting a low budget fairly straight gritty drama but instead was bowled over by a brave, untidy, deeply disturbing, beautiful trip - yes brilliant stuff but imagine some will hate it, not get it - PITY!

Simply put this film is a gem and hopefully will find a deservingly wide audience. I found it tough at times but was involved for the whole film and surprisingly found myself rooting for the main character Gary (wicked performance by Gareth Reeves) even though he did something that really disgusted and appalled me. i couldn't stop watching... In fact I thought that all the performances where great. I loved Ian Mune as Gary's dad and the little actor who plays Laughlin Gary's nephew. Rarely for a kiwi film there is a sophistication and irony at work in the film, layers of ideas and social comment interwoven in the scenario. Interested to see where the director goes with his next feature. Great.

This a rare little film i picked up from my DVD shop on the recommendation of a girlfriend who saw it at the NZ International film Festival and couldn't stop raving about it

I'd heard complaints and negative responses to it as well, it definitely seems to polarise

In terms of performance it was very strong especially for a New Zealand film

And I thought the script was brilliant

However I found the shifts in tone a little strange at times especially the humour and irony but enjoyed and went with it nevertheless and I feel in the long run that it helped balance a grim journey

Its unfortunate that this film didn't get a cinema release, maybe its too dark? Pushes too many buttons?

I don't know and can only speculate as in terms of quality it is a much stronger film than most of the NZ features to play in cinemas here in the last ten years or so

Its a real shame as its a potentially great platform to stimulate discussion around some tough issues

And this country needs to face up to these issues that are ripe in our so called paradise, our little 'godzone'

i'm interested to now what others think now

special - tears and hope

Watched this on DVD with my boyfriend the other night not expecting much as most kiwi films suck and we where both really affected by it, even had big stupid argument after watching it. He didn't get some of the stuff I did but still thought it was great as I did. I never knew where this was going and was squirming all the way through and that last scene OMG!!! One of the best last scenes I've ever seen in a kiwi film, maybe the best ever. I don't know what you'd call it guess a drama but touches of comedy even horror somehow definitely a drama i guess. I give it 8/10 as its not 10 a classic of film history no kiwi films are or a great film like Once where Warriors/ Goodbye Pork Pie, Heavenly Creatures/Braindead but its deinately one of the best kiwi films I've seen if not top ten then for sure top twenty. Read some of the comments and yea wonder why it didn't get cinema release or more promotion in NZ while there's been a stream of lame mediocre crap coming out last decade and more to come I'm sure. Gunna watch directors other film now called Christmas, meant to be pretty hard out but heard its a classic kiwi film. oh yea an the acting was great, the main guy playing Gary was amazing, the fastfood joint manager WTF! sic others cool but these where my favs

Wow! I was really caught offguard as I didn't expect this movie to be so moving and well told as it hadnt gotten cinema release here in NZ. The performances and direction where excellent and loved the soundtrack. Gritty and Super tense. That pinnacle moment of the main crime is fast and unexpected making me angry, confused and shocked. Gary's whole life is so awful and so real that I can't help feel for him and his terrible situations and be touched by the simplest achievements amongst the scourge surrounding him. A great, sad little kiwi drama that will rival any films in this genre, anywhere in the world. hopefully the film will get out there now! It deserves to be seen by all! I will be telling my friends and family to see it that is for sure.