Day
201 Joyride/Pork
Pie [2017]
Screenplay Matt Murphy
Based on ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’ by Geoff Murphy & Ian
Mune
Director Matt Murphy
Cinematography Crighton Bone
Music Jonathan
Crayford
Leads Dean
O’Gorman, James Rolleston, Ashleigh Cummings, Antonia Prebble,
Production Four Knights Film
IMDb 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes 100%
As
I mentioned right at the beginning of this blog (Day 11) – I am a big fan of
kiwi comedy. There is something about the accent which makes their delivery and
mannerisms fit snugly into a comic setting. Pork Pie, or Joyride
for international audiences, is a film based on kiwi classic, Goodbye Pork
Pie (1981). The classic is a cult NZ film and money must have been tight in
the Murphy family because Matt Murphy decided to remake his dad’s much-loved
road trip film. I don’t know much about the original and I don’t think anyone
reads this blog as far away as New Zealand, so I can safely ignore it
for now and concentrate on the modern version.
Joyride follows a group of
accidental outlaws as they travel the length of New Zealand in a stolen yellow
Mini. Luke (Rolleston), a cheeky Maori boy racer type, steals a car and nearly
runs over Jon (O’Gorman), a washed-up writer. He agrees to take Jon to a
wedding that Jon’s ex is attending in order to win her back. After some trouble
with a traffic officer, they also pick up Keira (Cummings), a vegan activist
who literally jumps out of the window of the fast food joint she is working at
in order to escape her boss. The film continues as a road trip slash police
chase as the trio go viral after Keira posts on social media. Although the ‘Blondini’
gang haven’t broken any major laws, bar resist arrest for minor charges, they
soon have the whole of New Zealand’s police force chasing them, as they are
believed to be armed and dangerous.
The
film has occasional flashes of brilliance – the chase scenes are performed well,
a wacky supporter of the Blondinis adds some comedy flavour and a scene with multiple
minis did bring a smile to my face – but ultimately it falls short. The script
left a lot to be desired, as I cringed at much of the romantic dialogue between
Luke and Keira. O’Gorman was solid, and although visually brilliant, his lines
could have been better. Really the whole thing just serves as an advertisement for
Mini and Visit New Zealand – I’m sure getting the funding was a piece of cake.
The thing I enjoyed most about it really has nothing to do with the film
itself. I enjoyed that it’s kiwi spirit, bringing the unique comedy of New
Zealand into international cinema, and with people like Rhys Darby, Taika
Waititi and Flight of the Conchords enjoying success after success, I hope New
Zealand’s cinema scene continues to grow.
Acting 2.5 / 4
Writing 2 / 4
Cinematography 3 / 4
Music 2.5 / 4
HWF rating 2.5 / 4
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