Snakeskin

Kiwis have this really odd approach to our films. We automatically assume that if a film has come from the States, and if it's showing in Hoyts, then it's better than anything ever made in New Zealand, let alone the smelly ol' Mainland.

As Snakeskin aptly shows, this is damn wrong, and it's fitting that it uses the Kiwi appropriation (obsession) with the American Dream as its central theme. In fact, the characters know more about Elvis and Marrilyn ("The patron saints of America guiding us on our journey") than about the small plastic Tiki they have in their car.

It's a very clever, very well directed, *excellent* film. With a kicking soundtrack. This is very important.

I was not surprised when i saw the rating because i always viewed Snakeskin as a film that you have to watch multiple times in order to understand. The first time i watched it, i really liked how the story built up the characters in the first half of the movie, while the second half left me with a lot of question marks. Although, when i watched it for the third time, i really grasped the symbolism and profound thoughts presented in the third act.

Snakeskin starts off as a fun action film, but then it turns into a thriller with very suspenseful scenes in claustrophobical environments. I also liked how the director chose to have all the minor characters shown in previous scenes, reappear later on to show that everyone is heading in the same direction. The music is really well chosen, the landscapes shown in both day and night scenes are really beautiful, and the actors, especially Oliver Driver, give the film an even higher level. I definitely recommend watching it, but as i previously said, you need to watch it multiple times in order to understand it.

New Zealand movies have a knack for being slightly 'quirky' and this film is no exception. The characters are somewhat enigmatic, the scenes are at times surreal, and the plot is suitably 'dark'. Unfortunately, "Snakeskin" is unable to live up to its premise, and the viewing experience is somewhat unfulfilling. However, this is not to say that the film is without its good points: Firstly, the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking and showcases the beauty of Southern New Zealand; secondly, the camera work is extremely effective (especially in the first half) thus adding an element of intrigue; and thirdly, the acting is slick and well-polished (in particular Melanie Lynskey and Oliver Driver).

Despite its good intentions, "Snakeskin" does not run as smoothly as it ought too. The first half of the film runs like a typical road movie, and this is reinforced by the use of humour and brisk action (car chases etc). The second half of the film takes a dramatic change however, and veers into thriller territory. The scenes become darker, more complex, and more serious. I found this shift in genres quite distracting, and it made the film increasingly difficult to comprehend. Obviously, the snake motif plays a central part in the film, but this is undermined by the 'twilight zone' treatment it receives in the latter stages. Ultimately, I think the film would have been more effective if it stuck to a simpler story-making formula.

I'm getting tired of NZ films like this. They have poor stories, the scripted dialogue is ridiculous and they are badly acted. Six years on and this type of NZ film is still being made. How did the Australians make the giant leap into quality film and somehow the Kiwis are still fumbling around like a High School Play Group? This film reeks of the liberal ideas and attitudes that are coming to a close in NZ. The story is desperate to attack traditional NZ culture and values, yet instead of actually telling the truth -which would do it better- they present common ignorant liberal assumptions.

There is so much kitschy rubbish throughout it: scenes constructed from what the filmmaker must imagine rural NZ is like instead of what it actually is. It gives the impression that NZ culture is stuck on top of the people like a cheap plastic toy on the dashboard of a car. If you live in NZ or are familiar with it's people you'll laugh at some of the sanitised characterisations.

Why was it even necessary to drift off into sci-fi? Is the truth really that hard to face? Or is it because the filmmaker really had nothing to say outside of proclaiming they, personally, imagine themselves to be "badass."

Superb acting and cinematography compliment a fresh writing style that skillfully guides us through this modern-day "Alice in Wonderland" set in New Zealand. Lynskey especially takes us on an ultra-realistic joy/horror ride, as the subtle changes in her character hook us almost subconsciously, and before we know it, drag us forever down the rabbit hole, screaming for more!