Director: Robert Sarkies
Cast: Bret McKenzie, Hamish Blake, Maaka Pohatu, Filip Berg, Russell Smith, Erin Banks, Ian Mune, Tim Shadbolt
Rating: (R15)
3 stars (out of 5)
Nige (Bret McKenzie) is a pretty dysfunctional 20-something who finds himself in a spot of bother when he runs over a backpacker. Struggling to cope with the gravity of his actions, Nige stupidly enlists the help of his estranged pal Deano (Hamish Blake).
This sets in motion a sequence of events that amount to much more than an elaborate ruse to showcase Southland. Hitting the road to the Catlins, Two Little Boys gradually peels back the layers on the twisted friendship between Nige and Deano.
Revisiting the same sort of indigenous inanity espoused in Scarfies, Two Little Boys doesn't miss any marks with the employment of gratuitous mullets, loud cardigans and pitch-perfect '80s kiwi-isms. It's easy to see how the Sarkies managed to lure the comedic services of McKenzie and Blake. However, neither appears totally comfortable working within the strict confines of a script.
Dunedin actor Maaka Pohatu is brilliant as Gav, the worldly security guard with a gentle disposition.
Two Little Boys might not be the laugh-fest many will expect, but great production values, some wickedly choreographed stunts, and a kicking soundtrack keep the story ticking along.
Best thing: Gav swimming with dolphins in Curio Bay, genius.
Worst thing: Waiting for laughs that don't quite pay off.
See it with: A pair of stonewashed jeans and a Rodney Rude T-shirt.
- Mark Orton.
