“Sh#t just got real!” These are the words of the young Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), the outlaw hero, which define the mockingly fantastical and over the top funny nature of this film.
This is the story of a young orphan from the city who is placed into a new foster home in a rural part of New Zealand. Ricky’s and aspiring hip-hop star/gangster, which is the polar opposite to his new step-father Hec, played by Sam Neill. After a series of unfortunate events the pair are forced to go on the run together through the bush.
Queue an hour of quirky New Zealandesque comedy gold, as the pair achieve cult hero status for their exploits, while a nation-wide manhunt begins.
Both Dennison and Neill are perfectly cast. Dennison as the innocently optimistic clutz, who can make your sides hurt and break your heart all in one shot. Neill meanwhile, plays the cantankerous bushman, torn between his stubborn ways and his desire to accept this boy as his adopted son, with aplomb.
This sort of partnership has been used in films many times before, but what sets Wilderpeople apart is its use by Writer/Director Taika Waititi. This film is as much about poking fun at the exceedingly polite nature of the New Zealand people. For example; Ricky’s reputation as a “bad egg,” has been garnered from committing petty misdemeanours such as “hanging around, spitting and breaking stuff.”
In an age where hopeless, unimaginative tripe from Will Ferrell or Kevin Hart is the standard for a comedy blockbuster, Wilderpeople reminds us that behind every great joke is a clever narrative.
Waititi’s other films in recent years include that Vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows (2014) and Boy (2010). Check them out.
PaulHyland. 