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Sione's Wedding

From the Naked Samoans, national treasure & makers of  Bro'Town : a comedy set in Grey Lynn about four boys who’ve failed to age sensibly.

In the early '90s they were the Duckrockers, a break dancing crew, now the boys (Knightley – also co-writer, Magasiva, Lelisi, Ah Hi) are about to be smacked by age 30, and are still renowned for drunkenness, general tomfoolery and wrecking family events & weddings because of it. As one of their younger brothers’ wedding approaches, they are summoned by their minister (Lees) and told to find and bring along lady friends. Dating and maturity-finding hijinks ensue. Also look out for David Fane (the voice of the father in ‘bro Town & the funniest of the troupe), as an advice giving cousin.

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I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.

Rating: 4 Flicks Review:

It's true people. Sione's Wedding is a good film and, more importantly, is hilarious from start to finish.

Not only is it the first great NZ comedy (I don't want to rag on the also great Came A Hot Friday, but this is funnier), it's the first to authentically capture a local flavour. It's Grey Lynn alright, I felt like I'd stepped out my front door.

The story follows four men-boys (Knightley - also co-writer, Magasiva, Lelisi, Ah Hi). In the early 90s they were the Duckrockers, a break dancing crew, now they are about to be smacked by age 30 and are still renowned for drunkenness, general tomfoolery and wrecking family events & weddings because of it. As one of their younger brothers' wedding approaches, they are summoned by their minister (Lees) and told to find and bring along lady friends. Thus, they about getting or retaining partners for the big family event.

Lelisi and Ah Hi, the two we've seen least of on our screens, are standouts. They are the least cliched characters & the funniest - gleefully immature and irresponsible. Lelisi's Sefa is the biggest culprit. Though he already has a good girl (the endearing Teuila Blakely), he devoutly refuses to 'grow up'. Instead he continually fucks up, most memorably when he (in a great, very harsh moment) refers to her as his cousin to another woman. It's a credit to Lelisi and his character that he's won the audience over so much, he can redeem himself at the films end. In fact he's a dick pretty much the whole time, but oh so funny and likeable.

Also notable is David Fane - suitably hilarious and outright odd, as an advice spouting cousin.

At times the direction is too obtrusive for my taste, and some points are drilled home too much - for instance the attraction between Knightley's Albert and his office working friend Tania (Sami) is obvious early but we are continually reminded of it. But director Chris Graham also knows how wonderful his actors are and gives them room to do their thing.

A favourite scene was when Knightley's character, after a failed night on the prowl, is having breakfast with his mum. Knowing that it went typically bad, she encourages her son to be more aggressive with the ladies. His response, in a 'shut up mum' tone: 'I don't do that, I treat women with respect'. Mum looks away, almost sighs, and says 'That's nice dear'.

It's these smaller moments (which are also very funny), when Sione's Wedding quietly builds a world, and it's characters. They make the film, and they make the big laughs well earned. This story in it's itself is not genius. What is is the execution - it doesn't shy away from its roots (like so many other local films), it puts it on display in all its glory. The result is a rare piece of work - genuine, joyous, and funny. We haven't seen moments like these before in New Zealand film.

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Release date: March 30th 2006.

We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.