A Song of Good

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.

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.

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