Samoan Wedding (2006)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Film: B-

 

 

New Zealand has been a source of much good music (Split Enz) and films (from Once Were Warriors to Peter Jackson) that another good work had to make it to these shores sooner or later and Chris Graham’s Samoan Wedding (2006) is that project.  The film centers on a young man who cannot grow out of his group of friends and brother who have been hanging around since they were pre-teens.  Now he is getting married in his early 30s, but cannot shake them.  Does he want to?

 

Three has been a cycle of films focusing on ethnic groups that use a convenient central event as an excuse to really show the lives and time of said group.  If the film works, it is celebrated, if not, it is forgotten and worse if it gets it wrong.  Though not a great film, the James Griffen/Oscar Kightley screenplay has more hits than misses and the mostly unknown cast has lots of energy and chemistry, making the film a joy to watch.  The only awkward thing, no matter how realistic, was the Hip Hop culture among the youths.  Too bad we did not get a look at the previous generation’s pop culture.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is not bad, but lacks detail and depth, with limited color.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has little in the way of surrounds, but is a nice and clean recording.  The combination is watchable.  Extras include a filmmaker’s audio commentary and behind the scenes making of piece.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo