This Town: a Nick Scott film review

Nick Scott reviews the David White film “This Town” an unpredictable epic of rural New Zealand.

Nick says: “This New Zealand film has had a lot of good things said about it, all of which were deserved.

It’s the kind of story-line that you can never predict but one which still manages to make some kind of sense. I won’t reveal the story but I will reveal that the film starts with one character making a dating video stating that no matter what people say, he did not kill his family. You probably couldn’t predict the rest of the plot if you had a year just to spend imagining what it could be. It’s a grim tale, so be ready for that if you intend seeing it, although there is no excessive violence or gore.

The narrative of the film evolves from the somewhat illegal problems of one of the town’s residents. This resident is the last one who would be expected to be in this situation. There are other sub-plots based around other main characters.

The characters are well chosen. They are familiar but never boring; well played by well known NZ acting talent including Robyn Malcolm and Rima Te Wiata.

The setting is also well chosen. It’s a small town in New Zealand. The type of small town many of us have lived in.

Don’t go to “This Town” and expect to see a traditional Kiwi comedy. It’s also a murder mystery but not in a form usually found on British or American television”.

Nick Scott Nick Scott has a B.A from The University of Waikato where he studied film under Sam Edwards. Nick has retained a keen interest in cinema. He studied Te Reo Maori at Te Wananga O Aotearoa part-time for 3 years and then from 2014 to 2016 Nick collaborated in writing “The Traveller’s guide to Maori Place Names”. Nick’s novel “Temple’s Job’ on ARTbop WORDS publishes on the first Saturday of the month.

https://www.facebook.com/thecafenz/videos/this-town-interview/600109654193348/

One of the “stars” of This Town Robyn Malcolm in conversation with Francesca Rudkin on NewstalkZB The Sunday The Sunday Session

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/video/robyn-malcolm-stars-in-new-local-movie-this-town/

The New Zealand Film Commison says:

Acquitted of a crime, a young man tries to rebuild his life while an ex-cop turned Petting Zoo Owner, convinced of his murderous tendencies, tries to prove his guilt. This Town follows one man’s attempt to return to normality, and one woman’s utter determination to prevent it. Through the contradictions, intensity and absurdity of their ambitions, an extraordinary comedy emerges.

Five years ago, Sean’s (David White) family was murdered. Charged but acquitted of the crime, he is now the most infamous person in the small community of This Town – his whole life defined by this single event. Despite everything, Sean’s ready to move on, starting where any millennial would: by stepping into the world of digital dating. Pam (Robyn Malcolm) was the officer in charge of the investigation. Tormented by the murders and how a guilty man walked free, she’s been soured against the justice system. Abandoning the police force, Pam has started a small petting zoo and adventure park, but is unable to move on until justice … and an alpaca or two … have been served.

Now, for the first time since ‘it’ happened, Sean’s world is blossoming. He meets Casey, a young woman whose faith in his innocence lends new force to his struggle for an ordinary life. Together they push at the limits of love after murder. Yet with every step forward, Pam lures us back to the case. She’s hoping for the one clue that will have Sean back in court faster than she can get to the bottom of her home made waterslide.

Charting the sublimely awkward aftermath of small town tragedy, This Town is a touchingly twisted comedy about what it means to reinvent yourself.” (The NZ Film Commission cites all the acting and production credits)

Only in New Zealand! https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/122363641/this-town-star-alice-may-connollys-dad-promises-free-ice-cream-at-films-geraldine-premiere

Mahuru September is BAM here in Aotearoa New Zealand – Bee Aware Month! Check out The Sunday Series: to bee or not to bee, where we honour these hard working members of our world. And make sure you keep up with Tauranga author Nick Scott’s episodic crime novel “Temple’s Job”.