For Good (2003)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Stuart McKenzie

Writer:

Stuart McKenzie (writer)

Release Date:

20 July 2003 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Michelle Langstone	...	Lisa
Timothy Balme	...	Grant Wilson
Miranda Harcourt	...	Mother
Tim Gordon	...	Father
Adam Gardiner	...	Flatmate
Hera Dunleavy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charlie Bleakley	...	Abbott
Anneke-Lee Gough
Lucy Wigmore	...	Reporter

Directed by
Stuart McKenzie

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Stuart McKenzie		writer

Produced by
Miranda Harcourt	....	co-producer
Stuart McKenzie	....	co-producer
Neil Pardington	....	producer

Original Music by
Shayne Carter

Cinematography by
Duncan Cole

Film Editing by
Richard Hobbs
Paul Sutorius

Production Design by
Andrew Thomas

Costume Design by
Amanda Neale

Makeup Department
Catherine Maguire	....	makeup department head
Cath McGuire	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anton Steel	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Wayde Beckman	....	on-set art director
Alice Tinning	....	property master

Sound Department
Gethin Creagh	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Hedges	....	sound re-recording mixer
Gilbert Lake	....	assistant re-recording mixer
Matthew Lambourn	....	assistant sound editor
Robyn McFarlane	....	foley recordist
Polly McKinnon	....	sound effects editor
Carolyn McLaughlin	....	foley artist
Tim Prebble	....	sound designer

Visual Effects by
Nick Booth	....	scanning and recording supervisor: Weta Digital
Mark Smith	....	visual effects
Jonathan Woodford-Robinson	....	visual effects editor

Other crew
Veronique Lawrence	....	continuity

Production Companies

• MAP Productions

Distributors

• Arkles Entertainment (2004) (New Zealand) (theatrical)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Certification:

New Zealand:R16

Company:

MAP Productions

Trivia:

McKenzie's script draws on material he and Miranda Harcourt developed for her theatre piece, "Portraits", which itself drew on their own interviews with rapists, murderers and victims' families.

slow yet atmospheric and gripping; very good value

It is remarkable how badly a good movie can be received in its own country. Perhaps the contemplative pacing and intersecting of past and present along with the inter-splicing of two of the key characters just had too much competition from the succession of Peter Jackson blockbusters.

Contrary to many reviews from fellow New Zealanders, I found the movie atmospheric, thoughtful, compelling, and well acted. Indeed, I was startled to realise it was a local product, the 'feel' of it being more Nordic.

There is a jarring turn toward the end when it suddenly shifts gears into action-thriller. However this is soon resolved satisfactorily - and not over-predictably. One could argue it was indeed necessary to the story.

There has been some criticism to the effect this movie gives little insight into the subject of rape and murder. Yet those involved in making this film have been involved for years in working with .... rapists and murderers! One wonders what such critics expected? Is the truth of the matter just too banal for those in film-land to find 'convincing'?