A SONG OF GOOD
New Zealand, 2008, 84 minutes, Colour.
Gareth Reeves, Matthew Sunderland, Ian Mune, Danielle Cormack, Caleb Griffiths, Darien Takle.
Directed by Gregory King.
In many ways this is quite a conventional film, a small-budget, short running time film showing a New Zealand suburban slice of life. Beginning symbolically, with the central character, Gary, seemingly drowning, it shows Gary’s decline into the depths – and further. In his quest for drugs, he attempts to burgle a neighbour’s house and in a moment of angry desperation, suddenly rapes her. This abrupt and shocking event stays in the audience’s mind even though it seems to fade from Gary’s memory. However, he does make a resolution to clean up, get a job, care for his sister and nephew and his disbelieving couch-potato father.
The drug scene is the familiar one. What makes it different is seeing it in the local setting, in the commonplace lives of rather ordinary people.
When the film is about to end, Gary decides to deal with the guilt of his rape. What follows is a confession of truth to the woman. He believes she has forgiven him for being honest but, in the meantime, she has notified the police. Then Gary weeps and embraces her – and momentarily before the final credits we see the woman’s hands move to complete the embrace. Truth, forgiveness and reconciliation may be possible.
1.The New Zealand atmosphere and tone, universal themes, familiar kinds of characters and issues? The difference with this film?
2.The central character, the depths, going further down, the decision for redemption, a struggle for redemption, confession, hope?
3.The New Zealand city and suburbs, the homes and lifestyle, poor and middle-class, the world of the takeaway, drug parties? Credible?
4.The title, its ironies and its truths?
5.The opening, Gary and his drowning, holding breath, underwater, the need for air, the branch to reach out to, in the mud, dirty, walking through the city, the schoolgirls laughing, the desperation, going to the drug dealers, pleading, the need, no money, asking money from his sister, promising to tell the truth, to pay back, his lies?
6.Gary and his age, out of work, the young man, drugs, the vision of his mother, seeing her in the photo, her flute, her anniversary, arranging the picnic, going to the cemetery?
7.His father, old, in the shorts, fat, the TV, the gambling, his attitude towards his son, saying that pigs might fly if he got a job, the gift of the dog, his critical comments, loving the dog, refusing Rachel the money, playing with his grandson, going to the picnic and driving away, an old man – Gary in the future?
8.Rachel, the marriage to Denis, Denis and the dealing with the drugs, his house, money, leaving Rachel and Lachlan, the son going to visit his father, the sexual relationship between Rachel and Denis, Rachel at work, the repossession of the TV and other furniture? Asking her father for money and his refusal? Gary and his help, the stolen TV, the bike, teaching Lachlan to ride, babysitting him, arranging the picnic, her disgust at his not turning up, taking Lachlan to his grandmother’s grave, Gary giving her the money, his injuries and her tending them? Her thanks?
9.Denis, his life, the drugs, sexual partners, Gary and owing him money, Howie and his debts to the other druggies, the hedonistic way of life, the girls, the pool, the drink?
10.Gary, at home, the need for drugs, going to the neighbour’s house, stealing, the sudden raping of the woman? His hiding the TV, giving it to Rachel? Going out with Howie, the girls, the drugs, collecting the beer? His later being bashed? His relationship with his father, sitting and watching, preparing breakfast and his father not eating it, getting the dog from Howie and leaving it as a gift? Its doing its business on the floor, yet the father’s good reaction? The job interview, the prissiness of the owner, his enthusiasm, the work, getting the bike, teaching Lachlan to ride, babysitting, Lachlan’s drawings, his relationship with Rachel, arranging the picnic, his being bashed and failing to turn up, stealing Gary’s money after the drug party?
11.In the pool, the drinking, the drugs, his attempts to reform?
12.The takeaway, the boss, his speeches, everything spick and span, the enthusiastic exercises, the bonding? His warnings to Gary?
13.The rape, hanging over the film, Gary’s confession, the need to confess?
14.Alone in the house, the woman calling the police, giving him the cup of tea, his gift of the muffins, his weeping on her shoulder, her actually embracing him – what future? Charges or not? Atonement? The possibilities for good?
