This Is Not My Life

New Zealand has an astounding amount of TV and Film talent for such a small population and This is Not My Life is a well acted and beautifully produced piece of TV. I think that the care that went into this goes beyond scriptwriting and acting (both of which are top notch).The sets and setting are detailed and consistent down to the graphical user interfaces on PDAs and office computers - an alternative but very plausible view of where 2010 technology is heading. The look and feel of the world we are being invited into here has details that describe a dystopian New Zealand down to the overly plastic 'Kia Ora' greeting. Although this is a very Kiwi futuristic drama I hope that this TVNZ production gets taken up by the international networks, it deserves as wide a showing as possible.

The plot owes something to the 1960s series 'The Prisoner' and also to 'Lost' given that the early episodes resolve nothing about how Waimoana came to exist. More than that there is a Kubrick feel to this production based on a tenacious attention to detail by the whole team.

Being from New Zealand I have relatively low expectations for New Zealand TV, but both my partner and i were pleasantly surprised after the first episode and are excitedly waiting for more. The show has a slightly scifi side being set in the near future, however don't judge it for that, the acting is wonderful and the production values high. Just when you think you have it worked out the show throws a twist that leaves you confused but in a good way. I'm proud to say that NZ TV really has stepped up its game and if this continues down the same road Im sure this show could compete with the best of TV coming out of the states. GO TVNZ;)

I've only seen the first four episodes but if the remaining nine are similar then intelligent Sci-Fi lovers have finally found something to look forward to. Much better than the likable yet confusing 'Life On Mars.' More comprehensible than the silly melodramatic 'Heroes.' This TV series is from New Zealand so you'll have to be, erm... creative in how you get a hold of this series. I suspect that this will change, though, and world wide distribution will follow quickly.

This Is Not My Life is an absorbing sci fi drama featuring Charles Mesure, Tandi Wright, and Miriama McDowell. It is set in the future in a Utopian leafy suburb of Waimoana in New Zealand.

Don't let the fact that it's a TV program from NZ put you off. The production features some fine international heavyweights and UK viewers especially will enjoy this. The American fans of network TV are gonna be left wondering when the bombs and bullets are ever gonna start so they won't like this at all.

The script is top notch and you'll have to listen to every word because there is no exposition thrown out for an inattentive teenage crowd.

The clever placement of gadgets and gizmos are blended into the unfolding drama and not thrown in your face. The dialog is seductively menacing and at times chilling to listen to.

Pencils and paper are things of the past. The 'greenies' and tree huggers won! 'Carbon credits' for driving and flying are a privilege and you'll get a stern finger wagging if you go overdrawn.

The performances, direction and effects are universally solid. There was an annoying moment when the little girl was running down the hall away from her father and it was obvious to the dead that she was looking directly at someone and not where she was running, but maybe I'm quibbling.

I'll leave you to figure out the story for yourself... much like the lead in the story is having to do! If you are a fan of John Wyndham then you'll ease right into this.

My personal view is that if this standard of programming can sustain itself for the entire series then it will be as important for science fiction as the original series of Star Trek.

If it loses direction, gets sentimental or silly then it will be forgotten very quickly.

But for the moment I am for the first time in decades genuinely thrilled about watching science fiction on TV...

I doubt I have watched a TV series end to end since From the Earth to The Moon' but at last a show that assumes some intelligence of it's viewers and setting and story line that leads you to want to know more.

Clever style making the most of real places, buildings and setting - so does not feel too far in the future. The NZ production (and hence I assume lower budget available than a US made series) seems to have led to more thoughtful writing and directing and probably works in its favor. It will be interesting if greater funding ahead will round off the edges.

Various levels of story it seems, so one suspects the story will actually become more complex as it goes along.

Also real-life modern NZ-English language and architectural style should add a level of interest to non-NZ audiences and so probably appeal to those looking for more thoughtful programs than most.

Could be the basis for a long running and trend setting sci-fi-ish series. Well done guys.

i've read reviews of this show by NZ viewers, and they seem surprised that such a show is produced in NZ. i hope that is because they are glad to see such good entertainment, and not because most of the NZ programming is rubbish.

now, this is a well written show, well thought out and well acted. as said before, it proves that good programming is not dependent on cash, but on good writing, good actors dedicated to the project, and a good production team which is dedicated to the quality and authenticity of the series.

it makes no matter where a series is made, if there is intelligent use of existing locations, then with a small budget one can create an alternate reality, especially if it is not too far removed from the present.

but the most important factor--just ask any competent actor--is the writing. in television, more so than film, the writing must be tight. a two-hour film allows for more fat in the dialog than a one hour show, but that being said, a TV series allows for more character development, but also invites--if poorly made--more filler without advancing the narrative and plot-line.

this show is a tight project. i recommend it to anyone of above average IQ, and those who are burned out on the recycled plot-lines most producers fob onto their mass audience.

most TV runs on the premise that cash is king, but not this one. somebody cared about this series, and thank goodness.