Rain (2001/III)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Christine Jeffs

Writers:

Kirsty Gunn (novel)
Christine Jeffs (writer)

Release Date:

October 2001 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Whilst on a family vacation on the Mahurangi Peninsula in New Zealand, 13-year-old Janey begins to realize that her parents' marriage is on the rocks.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Photographer | Summer | Beach House | Party

Awards:

5 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki	...	Janey
Sarah Peirse	...	Kate
Marton Csokas	...	Cady
Alistair Browning	...	Ed
Aaron Murphy	...	Jim
David Taylor	...	Sam
Chris Sherwood	...	Ron
Claire Dougan	...	Joy
Alison Routledge	...	Heather
Pino Scopas	...	Pino
Ross Harper	...	Partygoer #1
Jane Irwin	...	Partygoer #2
Tom Evans	...	Partygoer #3
Andi Reveley	...	Partygoer #4
Lu Rathe	...	Boat Cleaner

Runtime:

92 min | Argentina:90 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival) | UK:91 min | Germany:86 min (TV version)

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Mahurangi Peninsula, Rodney District, Auckland Region, New Zealand

Company:

Communicado Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although this film is set in the year 1972, the partygoers at Ed and Kate's party are dancing to the Sherbert song "Howzat", which was not released until 1976.

Quotes:

Janey: I'd like to have some nice photo's.
Jim: Why?
Janey: 'Cause I want to.
Ed: What for?
Janey: My portfolio.
Ed: Why do you need a portfolio?
Janey: I don't know.
Ed: What would you do with a portfolio?
Janey: I think it'd give me good confidence.
Ed: I didn't think you needed it.

Bleak house in NZ

It does not actually rain in this movie, but there is a sullen, overcast feel to it. Usually family holidays are recalled with some affection – the bad bits edited out. In this family's story from the 1970s there's not much that is pleasant to recall. Mum is drinking herself to oblivion and having an affair with a neighbour, Dad is not coping either, and the 13 year old daughter is confused and frightened by the goings on. Her little brother, a sunny kid, is not so affected. Early on, it is plain that some kind of tragedy is going to happen.

Apart from some of the flattened vowels, and the unremarkable coastline just north of Auckland this is a story that could be set anywhere amongst the aimless middle classes of western society– the people who have what they need or more, but who have no higher ambition but to joylessly consume. In the wife's case this is unfortunately alcohol. Her daughter has reached puberty but has to cope on her own. (the local boys seem to be behind her in development anyway).

As the daughter, Alicia Fulford-Wierbicki puts in a fine performance, as does Sarah Pierce as the mother. The men are all pretty shapeless with Marton Csokas doing a glowering Russell Crowe number as the mother's lover.

It's a bleak story but well done.