Kiwi drama about Michael (Matt Whelan, Go Girls, My Wedding and Other Secrets) who, after being told he has months left to live, flees Hamilton with a one-way ticket to Europe.
Stealing the money raised for his treatment, he arrives in London to spend his remaining days in a blur of sex, drugs, and mayhem. But the plan derails when he encounters Sylvie (Roxane Mesquida, Rubber), a gorgeous, enigmatic French woman.
Shot in London, Paris, Berlin and um, Hamilton, this is the feature debut by writer-director Kirstin Marcon.
One of the most ambitious films to come out of New Zealand this year, this grim but uplifting tale, shot in New Zealand and Europe, gives new meaning to the “me generation”. Matt Whelan’s Michael is often hard to feel for. When he discovers he’s dying, he doesn’t lament the fact he won’t get to scale Everest or help the poor in India but he’s damned if he’ll miss out on partying, drug-taking and sex. His lust for pleasure and disregard for others makes for an intriguing protagonist but wears thin after a while; there’s no character arc to speak of, which ultimately leaves you feeling as empty as he does.
But it also forces the viewer to question their own approach to life. Terminally ill, Michael refuses to succumb to a victim mentality, unlike the mysteriously self-sabotaging French girl, Sylvie (Roxane Mesquida) he encounters. Their attraction is convincing but Sylvie feels under-developed, to the point where the film’s climax fails to hit the emotional nerve it might have done in the book. Instead you’re left wondering if the film is trying to make a point about the knife-edge we all walk in life, or simply trying to shock.
Still, first-time director and screenwriter Kirstin Marcon, who based the film on Steven Gannaway’s novel, Seraphim Blues, has created something unusual, well-crafted and poignant. Some of the scenes cinematographer Crighton Bone shot in mid-winter Europe are exquisite. And Whelan (Brad from Go Girls) climbs on board and gives a haunting, unbridled performance of a young man fast running out of time.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
Best NZ movie I've seen in ages. Dark, pretty and thoroughly watchable. Ka pai.
I saw this last night and I've been thinking about it on and off all day. Matt Whelan is heartbreaking and strong. It's completely different and memorable.
This film looked and sounded great, was beautifully made and well acted. Unfortunately, for me, a weak plot and unlikeable, irritating characters made this film irredeemable.
Great kiwi film set mostly in europe. Beautiful, funny, thrilling with powerful acting and a kickass soundtrack. See it at the movies with a crowd.
I found this film very affecting. Good casting and it looks a million dollars. A very good premise for younger folks -- that I would imagine would tend to turn older folks off. Good music. Matt is a star, but Pana is bloody amazing too. I wanna go to Venice now...
The most fun you can have dying is most certainly worth a watch. It’s not as depressing as you might think - it is full on - but it might just inspire you.
One of the most memorable local films to emerge in a long time, with beautiful icy cold cinematography and characters of gravity and realism.
Intricate, soulful and full of beautiful nuances, Most Fun is a stunning and powerful film – one of the best of the past year.
Dying is a brave and bold undertaking - a deep story to tell with as many highs as there are lows.
The Most Fun You Can Have Dying isn’t nearly as depressing as the title suggests, but it’s quite an eye-opening experience and one which will leave you thinking more about what you’d do in the same situation.
