Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Year: 2016
Genre: Comedy
Directed: Taika Waititi
Stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Oscar Kightley, Stan Walker, Mike Minogue, Cohen Holloway, Rhys Darby, Troy Kingi, Taika Waititi
Production: Piki Films

Despite directing feature films since 2007, New Zealand director Taika Waititi has remained just outside the crust of the crust of the mainstream. Off-beat films like Eagle vs Shark (2007) and What We Do in the Shadows (2014) have certainly gained some notoriety in recent years though anyone subscribing to Jemaine Clement's Twitter feed may not be watching those films with the director in mind. Those who have no idea who Clement is, need not apply. Yet Waititi's Boy (2010) ranks among the top grossing New Zealand films and Hunt for the Wilderpeople is poised to overtake the director's sophomore effort, and with good reason. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is one of the best films you're liable to see this year and perhaps, one of the most wistful coming-of-age stories of the decade.

Jermaine Clement: Waititi's muse

The story begins with the young and rotund Ricky (Dennison) being escorted by child services' Paula (House) to a remote farm house mere hectares from "the bush". Ricky first meets his foster parents with a quixotic warm and cold welcoming. Bella (Te Wiata) does most of the talking, taking every opportunity to make the urban-adaptive Ricky feel at home in rural New Zealand. Hec (Neill), the gruff and irascible man of the house, coldly asks if Ricky does anything, or is he merely "ornamental". After a series of unfortunate events, Hec and Ricky find themselves the subjects of a manhunt by authorities and are forced to hide in the bush.

Brought to you by New Zealand's tourism board

The details of Hec and Ricky's predicament are hinted at in the trailers though explaining them would deny you the viewer the opportunity to see a stunningly wonderful movie through fresh eyes. Like encountering a rare bird, this movie shouldn't be talked about, analyzed and autopsied but rather looked upon with awe and wonderment. Once over, the moment should be followed with the quiet contemplation of Walden Pond.

Sam Neill and the young Julian Dennison are pitch-perfect as the miscreant odd couple. Dennison's inept braggadocio aches of street-smart malady mixed with the quiet simpering of a child completely out of his depth. Sure he's led a tough life, much tougher than most I suspect yet next to Hec he's but a mouth whose seen one too many movies. Yet even then he's instantly likable as a character. His resilience, his humor, his moments of pre-teen angst are so honest and sweet that I for one saw myself despite never wanting to become a "Skug." Sam Neill as Hec proves resourceful, forthright and even nurturing in his own individualist way. Despite being functionally illiterate, Hec puts his faith in "the knack," his way of staying calm and tough in distressing situations in the bush. "You know often times when people are found out here, they're naked...they panic and think their clothes are slowing them down," he says before following the stream to high ground. If civilization ever crumbles, Hec is the kind of guy you want leading your war-party.

Easy, easy, we're hunting for wabbits okay?

Much of the film has an off-kilter quality to it. The humor stems from baffling moments of exaggeration from the characters. Rima Te Wiata's Bella exudes cartoonish provincialism while Rachel House's child services stooge is layered with Dahlian villainy.While eluding authorities, the duo always seem to come across the same trio of hunters (Walker, Minogue and Holloway) who are craven for reward money but always wind up looking like Elmer Fudds. Then there's Rhys Darby's part which I dare not ruin lest to say his introduction energizes the film just as it begins to lose a little luster.

I will find you Sarah Connor!

Sincere, direct and exaggerated in all the ways a children's tale should be, the film earns all its laughs, tears and moments of suspense with two singularly charming performances and a Spielbergian sense of wonder. Well perhaps Spielbergian may be a malapropism; after all, the film does get laughs out of sly Terminator (1984) and First Blood (1982) references. With Waititi set to direct the next Thor (2011-Present) film, I think we all should hope it ends up being Waititiesque.

Final Grade: A