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Format: Laserdisc
Sep 1995
Rated R
Recording Mode: Stereo
Sound: Stereo, HiFi
Closed Captioned
102 min.
UPC: 053939143461 |
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* ML=ships from multiple locations, AE/AP/AA=ships from U.S. Military location.
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Movie Description
One woman tries to keep her family together despite her violent, alcoholic husband. Based on the novel by Alan Duff. Made in New Zealand.
For Jake and Beth Heke, life in their suburban ghetto is going from bad to worse. Jake's just lost his job, their delinquent teenage son Boogie has to appear in court and they can't make ends meet with five growing kids. Late that night, they host another one of Jake's raunchy drinking parties while the children lie awake in their bedroom. When their oldest son asks for money, which Beth discovers Jake has gambled away, it ignites a vicious argument that Jake solves by giving Beth one of his brutal beatings. The tide of violence continues to ebb and flow in the Heke household until a terrible tragedy makes them confront the dysfunctional state of their family.
Synopsis
For Jake and Beth Heke, life in their suburban ghetto is going from bad to worse. Jake's just lost his job, their delinquent teenage son Boogie has to appear in court and they can't make ends meet with five growing kids. Late that night, they host another one of Jake's raunchy drinking parties while the children lie awake in their bedroom. When their oldest son asks for money, which Beth discovers Jake has gambled away, it ignites a vicious argument that Jake solves by giving Beth one of his brutal beatings. The tide of violence continues to ebb and flow in the Heke household until a terrible tragedy makes them confront the dysfunctional state of their family.
Film Notes
Co-produced by Communicado, Avalon Studios, and New Zealand On Air.
Stuart Dryburgh, the film's cinematographer, was also the director of photography on Jane Campion's award-winning "The Piano." He was nominated for an Academy Award for that film.
This was New Zealand's top grossing film of all time.
Other credits: Hirini Melbourne (Maori music consultant) and Kepe Srirling (Haka Choreography).
Rated BBFC 18 by the British Board of Film Classification.
Industry Reviews
"...[This] unambiguously emotional drama will likely touch a nerve with many who see it..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
USA Today - p.4D - Mike Clark
"...Visual energy and emotional depth..."
Premiere - p.26 - Christine Spines
"...Fire and substance too..." -- Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly - pp.45-6 - Owen Gleiberman
"...[A] compelling first feature..."
Film Comment - p.67-70 - Kathleen Murphy
"...Brutally effective....This film's stars are frighteningly credible....[Ms. Owen] radiates a physical vitality..."
New York Times - p.C12 - Janet Maslin
"...Quick-fire editing and burnished visuals give the film a rich appearance..."
Sight and Sound - Lizzie Francke (04/01/1995)
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