In My Father's Den (2004)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Brad McGann

Writers:

Maurice Gee (novel)
Brad McGann (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 October 2004 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Mystery | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Who you set out to be isn't always who you become.

Plot:

A disillusioned war journalist's return home is blighted when he becomes implicated in the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl he has befriended.

Plot Keywords:

Journalist | Murder | Prodigal Son | Bath | Female Nudity

Awards:

19 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Matthew Macfadyen	...	Paul Prior
Miranda Otto	...	Penny
Emily Barclay	...	Celia Steimer
Colin Moy	...	Andrew
Jimmy Keen	...	Jonathon
Jodie Rimmer	...	Jackie
Toby Alexander	...	Paul as a teenager
Vicky Haughton	...	Ms Seagar
Nicholas Hayward	...	Andrew as a teenager
Liam Herbert	...	Andrew as a child
Vanessa Riddell	...	Iris
Asher Emanuel	...	Paul as a child
Matthew Chamberlain	...	Jeff
Peter Hishon	...	Vet
Mabel Wharekawa	...	Winnie (as Mabel Burt)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

New Zealand | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:M18 (International Version) | USA:R | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 (TV rating) | Australia:MA | Canada:PG | Ireland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Singapore:M18 (cut) | Singapore:R21 | UK:15 (cut)

Filming Locations:

Alexandra, Otago, New Zealand

Company:

IFMD Ltd.

Trivia:

The wartime photographs used for the film were taken by South African photojournalist Greg Marinovich. The photograph of the child was taken by Romano Cagnoni.

Quotes:

Paul as a teenager: You shouldn't be here.
Jackie as a teenager: What are you telling me - that I'm not as important as what goes on in your head?
Paul as a teenager: There's just parts of me that you can't have.
[Voice Over]
Paul as a teenager: No-one can.

Soundtrack:

Lost in a Mansion

Brilliant

Having had to do NZ fiction at school over a decade ago and hating it, I was not sure what to expect with this film. It has made me want to go and buy the book and get back into the wonder of my country's literary heritage... but that's another story.

This film is beautiful. It's tense, funny (some of the cameos for kiwi's to look out for additional fun!)... it takes you into the heart and soul of the characters. The two main characters are portrayed so wonderfully, you feel you're an extension of them.

Not knowing the story probably helped as I was not expecting everything that comes to pass (don't want to spoil anything). The movie, though desperate at some times, makes you feel somewhat uplifted. Hope. By the way, does anyone know who did the painting? I loved it.