Predicament

The cringe factor is definitely back in New Zealand cinema. This could have been a fantastic story (in fact, the book was.) Betrayal. Blackmail. Dysfunctional characters. Humour. Intrigue. Murder.

But somehow it just didn't hold together. The characters were too stereotypical and evoked too much cringe factor (with the exception of Jemaine Clement's Spook, who injected some genuine fun into the film.) The script lacked a vision for capturing the darkness of the themes of the film (or conversely lacked sufficient humour to make up for the lack of darkness.) Overall it was too light hearted for the themes covered in the story - a story of blackmail, revenge and murder. Such a story required a liberal dose of black humour, but the script barely delves into somewhat-grey humour.

There are genuinely funny moments. But overall it was a disappointment and a missed opportunity to translate Morrieson's dystopian world to the screen.

Saw this last night and it was a massive disappointment. First of I wanted to say that I think Stutter is a talented director, in terms of his visual skills - as the art direction and camera work was first rate. However the story, and casting was a major let down and left a lot to be desired. Like any young director Stutter needed to hit some what of a home run, to get another chance at bat - but after seeing this film I think that he'd struggle. It's been just over a week now since it's release and it's almost finished it theatrical run in Auckland. Which is another way of saying, this is a major box office flop - anyone who says otherwise is in dreamland.

The choice of story, just struck me as weird. Why as a young director would you choose an obscure local novel, set decades ago as the basis of your first flick? Surely he could have found something more relevant. Clement had some moments, but the other two leads weren't strong enough to carry the story. Overall I thought it wasn't funny enough to be comedy, and not interesting enough to work as a crime drama.

Set in a stylised 1930s New Zealand that we wish we'd had, Jason Stutter's PREDICAMENT manages to be both faithful to the book on which its based, the period in which its set and to tip its hat to plenty of movies made since that time (it would be silly to ignore them!).

Lonely and awkward (nerdy, in today's parlance) teenager Cedric (Hayden Frost) is delighted to be befriended by burly blowhard Mervyn Toebeck (Heath Franklin), but it isn't long before he's starting to regret inviting the freeloading oaf into his family home. When Mervyn's old chum The Spook (Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement, in a scene-stealing turn) starts hanging around and suggesting voyeurism and blackmail, things get quickly out of Cedric's depth.

The film is not slave to a page by page adaptation of the book. It rearranges a handful of key elements from the source novel -- mostly for chronology reasons -- and ventures, with sensitivity and success, into some of the psychology of Cedric's father (Tim Finn) and the tower he's building.

The film looks terrific, and is shot with a larger than life verve that captures the period but not without contemporary punch. It rolls along with tawdry fun and plenty of laughs -- particularly when Clement's Spook is playing off Franklin's Mervyn.

At times the fluid turns of the plotters' scheme may befuddle viewers unfamiliar with Ronald Hugh Morrieson's novel, but the character colour and unflagging likability of the puppyish Cedric will keep most people engaged until all the strands come together at the end.

Stutter's script is a lucid and thoughtful adaptation of a difficult book to adapt; Simon Raby's cinematography is superb; Clement is, as usual, batty fun. Aussie Franklin sometimes has trouble getting long tracts of period kiwi dialogue out 100% convincingly and Tim Finn is, oddly, better when he's being less kooky later in the film ... but the film is satisfying result for a film that's taken a long time to reach the screen and a fitting companion to the Came a Hot Friday and Scarecrow adaptations.

Ronald Hugh Morrieson's novel Predicament is a humorous, dark tale of the seedy underbelly of a small New Zealand town. This movie keeps the humour and tone of the book while also adding to it a modern freshness to make it relevant to today's audience.

The lead cast all turn in excellent performances, not only to give the movie a great dramatic feel but also to deliver truly comedic moments that lighten what could otherwise, at times, be a pretty dark tale. Hayden Frost is perfect as Cedric, the awkward, friendless, and yet good- hearted teenager. Heath Franklin delivers a great performance as Mervyn, a manipulative and at times slightly threatening bludger. Tim Finn provides some special moments as Cedric's befuddled dad. But for many the highlight will be Jemaine Clement's creepy and yet deeply funny Spook.

A great script and terrific performances aside, this movie also looks fantastic. The art direction and costume design are impressively stylish and make the 30s look like a pretty cool time to be around. On top of this, the cinematography delivers a movie with lush colours and, at times, a darkness that is just perfect for the tone of the movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed my night out seeing this movie during the film festival, and the rest of the audience did too. This movie is bound to become a New Zealand classic and must be seen on the big screen to be truly appreciated.

Great to be taken on a good old fashioned, tongue in cheek, dark comedic ride.. Stand out performances from lead and support cast just add to the roller coaster!

Encouraging to once again see a New Zealand film designed and shot with the cinema screen in mind, a credit to all involved!

The film makers have obviously 'made the most' of their resources, Predicament definitely has a big picture feel

Yet another example of the brave 'can do' ingenuity from independent NZ film makers.

Fun to watch, having read the book!

Thoroughly enjoyable, thank you!