BOY

PEPE'S VIEW: 

A thoroughly entertaining New Zealand movie that I couldn't help comparing to "The Castle"!  I am actually sorry that I am not a kiwi as I am sure many of the cultural references and jokes in the film went completely over this aussie's head.  This is not to say the movie is not funny - it is - quirkily so.  The writing and direction by Taika Waititi hits just the right note and the acting especially of the two sons Rocky and Boy is exceptional.  The only slightly weak acting was on the part of the director who played the Dad in a  "keystone cops" style at times which just did not ring true.
The plot revolves around, not surprisingly, Boy (James Rolleston) who is looking after his brother and numerous young cousins while his Grandma is away while trying to be accepted by the other children of the seaside town.  His mother has died giving birth to his brother Rocky (played brilliantly by Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu) and his father is in jail.  It is not long before the Dad turns up with his "gang" of two henchmen in the little seaside town and father and son are reunited.  Like all sons, Boy is captivated by his dad and tries to both please him and immitate him.  This gives Boy a new status amongst his mates and especially the girl of his dreams, Chardonnay. Eventually Boy realises that his father is a fraud - something that Rocky seems to suspect from the start. 
This is a great movie, funny, sad, revealing of the importance of a father in a boy's life and one that, given the seriousness of the theme, does not take itself too seriously. Some beautiful cinematography and shots of a New Zealand most of us have never seen top off this very satisfying movie.

Score:  8/10

Yes, this is a delightful movie that warms the heart.  The acting honours go to all the children who are absolutely believeable, especially the younger brother, Rocky, who thinks he has special powers.  This reminds me of a feature which is most pleasing - the animated childish drawings of events and characters which allow the viewer to see this crazy world through the eyes of a child - in particular, Rocky.  We get a glimpse of how the child arrives at an understanding of the adults in his life as well as his hopes and dreams for the future.  For this reason, I did not mind the acting of the father being a bit "over the top" as if fitted with the viewpoint that a child might have of him.
This movie is a tenderly whimsical revelation of the Maori culture and the way of life in a little isolated village, told with humour and love.  I am sure it will achieve a place as a cultural icon such as did "Once were Warriors" but by quite different means.

My score:  9/10