Locally directed movie The People We Love recently premiered at the Shoreline Cinema in Waikanae and has now had a nationwide release in 30 cinemas.
The story – Aspiring young writer Maddie (Manon Blackman, star of TV movie Mistress Mercy) returns to her family’s coastal home (Waikanae Beach) after a series of writing setbacks. Soon she finds herself caught in the middle of family tensions. Between rekindling an old connection and discovering her mother (Alison Bruce) is having a secret affair, she realises that the story she’s been searching for may be closer than imagined. This tale of family and love was filmed on location in Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast. It marks the feature debut of award winning writer/director Mike Smith (800 Words, Siege, The Brokenwood Mysteries).
This is absolutely a must-watch movie. Many (most) New Zealand movies tend towards the gloomy end of the spectrum and rom-coms very rarely feature.
Mike Smith’s movie The People We Love departs from the norm and offers up characters and a story that many people will relate to as their own or that of someone we know. Smith is also not afraid to make things end well.
The excellent script is delivered superbly by a stellar cast of kiwi actors. Manon Blackman (Maddie) has a huge future and delivers a complex character interacting (meddling) with her parents’ relationship.
Alison Bruce (Harriett – Mum) and Neill Rea (Craig – Dad) capture the essence of the movie with an easy style. The silences are perfect and the dialogue meaningful and relatable.
Tane Rolfe (Tai) is the young heart-throb who gives a great performance. He is witty, wry, sympathetic and importantly believable in the role.
Also worth noting was the performance of Richard Chapman as Uncle Johnny who provided some of the great comedic moments in the movie.
As romantic drama/comedies go this is top draw. The end of the movie premiere was greeted with enthusiastic and well merited applause. To cast and crew – take a bow.
Reviewed by KCNews
For Booking times see: www.Shorelinecinema.co.nz
