Movie review: Daffodils
A few weeks ago, our team members, along with other cinema managers from around Hawke’s Bay, spread out in our auditorium to treat ourselves to a preview screening of Daffodils.
Louisa von Reumont is from The Globe Theatrette, Ahuriri.
If you have somehow managed to miss publicity about this highly anticipated Kiwi film, here’s the lowdown: Daffodils is the bittersweet story of a relationship, starting at Rose (Rose McIver) and Eric’s (George Mason) first meeting in 1960s Hamilton and visiting pivotal moments of their life together over the following couple of decades.
It’s told from the present day where Rose and George’s daughter Maisie (played by Kimbra) looks back on her parents’ love story.
This perspective gives the film a truly nostalgic feel – if you have ever looked at old orange-tinted photos of your parents (or black and white ones, depending on how old you are) and wondered what they were like when they were young and naive, you’ll love Daffodils.
I’m a sucker for digging up memorabilia of the past, so I had a huge blast marvelling at the lovingly assembled 1960s beachwear, terrible 1970s furniture and outrageous 1908s hair and makeup.
The love story is not a fairy tale one – the problems begin the moment Rose and George move into their first home, a mould-infested apartment, and start having a family.
The story is based on Rochelle Bright’s immensely successful stage play which tells her own parents’ story, so for her sake you do hope it ends well – but you’ll have to find out for yourself.
Now let’s talk about the music. You’ll notice that I managed to get through three paragraphs without even mentioning that Daffodils is, indeed, a musical.
If you’re not into those, this should give you hope: the music is woven into the story so delicately that even the grumpiest musical-grinch should have a good time.
You’ll also recognise all of the songs – they are sort of a Best of Kiwi Music of the last few decades, and sung beautifully and with conviction by the charming cast.
My feeling is that Daffodils will henceforth be part of the conversation about those quintessential New Zealand movies, so don’t miss it!
DAFFODILS (93 mins)
Rated M (Offensive language)
