Ah, SXSW. So many movies and so many parties. It takes true effort and skillful time management to make it to a screening with the endless and entertaining temptations abound. But when I heard that the film line up for 2016 included a Taika Waititi feature, I made it a point to prioritize this screening. Last year, Annette Kellerman and I shared a screening of the brilliant What We Do In The Shadows, and I was a big fan of Eagle Vs. Shark. I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed in Hunt For The Wilderpeople, and I believe it to be a step forward in the filmmaker’s evolution into more sophisticated storytelling.
The story centers on a plump pre-teen who’s been bouncing about the foster care system for most of his life. We meet our orphan protagonist, Ricky Baker, played wonderfully by Julian Dennison as he is being dropped off at his newest foster home. We learn that, due to his bad behavior at previous foster homes, this is his last chance to settle in with a family. If he misbehaves he faces time in juvenile detention. This particular foster couple, lives in a house located on a gorgeous plot of land, nestled against New Zealand bush country. Plucky Aunt Bella, played by Housebound’s Rima Te Wiata , wins Ricky (and the audience) over almost instantly. Her gruff husband, Uncle Hec performed by Sam Neil, is less enthused about the newcomer. Through unforeseen circumstances, Ricky and Uncle Hec find themselves forced to survive alone together in bush country. Thus begins an adventure of male bonding for the unlikely duo that offers Uncle Hec redemption and Ricky a father figure that accepts him despite his quirks.
The movie tells a beautifully nuanced and emotional story. Waititi captures many facets of childhood and the unique experiences of children in the welfare system. Your heart breaks for Ricky and his sad past, but the movie is by no means a downer. It focuses on the ironies that life throws in our way that turn into opportunities for new hope and growth. Seriously, it’s a feel good movie.
And, boy is it funny! You will spend most of the movie chuckling at the antics of Ricky and the hilarious characters that he encounters in his pilgrimage with Uncle Hec. Rhys Darby gives us a good laugh as a nutty conspiracy theorist living a secluded life in the bush country. And Rachel House, gives us an intense and droll performance as Paula, the child protection agent with a strange agenda and a habit for taking things a little too far. Waititi brings his signature comedic style to this film through snappy writing and perfectly executed pop culture references. The writing is rich with one-liners and a second viewing is required to catch all of the humor.
The movie earned another bonus star due to the fact that it’s shot on location in the beautiful New Zealand wilderness. It was an interesting experience to be laughing through an over-the-top comedic scene then to cut to a fabulous landscape of rolling mountains and lush green panoramas. It lends to the idea that people like Ricky, who have no parents to champion them, are lost in the immensity of society. It’s easy to overlook a blade of grass when a sweeping forest takes your breath away, much in the same way it’s easy to overlook the plight of one orphan in the foster system, when there are so many issues that deserve our attention. It’s in this subtle reflection that I feel that Waititi pulls out his big guns and has created a film that isn’t just funny and perfect for late night viewing. This movie has layers, depth, and an important story at its heart. A story that deserves to be told and heard.
As a director, Waititi is a force to be reckoned with and I simply can’t wait to see what he does with Thor: Ragnarok. He has a talent for weaving a unique texture into his filmmaking that I find refreshing and utterly pleasing to experience. Well done and I’ll be tuned in for more!
Thanks for reading,
Diva Del Mar
