Pork Pie

The original movie Goodbye Pork Pie (1981) really kicked off the New Zealand film industry to becoming what it is today. While Sleeping Dogs (1977) had been the first homegrown picture to be released outside the country, this movie along with Smash Palace later in the year became the first major domestic hits. The fact that a beloved old title is getting the remake treatment could be seen as a coming of age of sorts for the NZ film industry but from what I've heard people seem to have mixed feelings as a lot of people deeply love the first and feel a remake would tarnish it despite the fact it's a labour of love from Matt Murphy (son of Geoff of the original fame). I didn't love the first as much as some and feel that the new one maintains the irreverent spirit while stepping up a gear in the action and comedy departments. A series of bizarre events lead to three misfits being chased in a stolen yellow mini across the country, a guy who's struggling to complete a novel and reconnect with his ex, a young Maori delinquent and a young female vegan activist. If you haven't seen the original you probably haven't seen anything quite like it and even if you have seen the original there are some cool updated elements. The upcoming James Rolleston has appeared in several well received projects (still only 19) but is currently recovering after being nearly killed in a horrific car accident shortly after filming. Hope he is up and acting again before too long. I think this movie should be able to strike a chord with overseas viewers as Hunt for the Wilderpeople did although it's not as good as the latter.

Pork Pie is a story of a car thief Luke (James Rolleston), struggling writer Jon (Dean O'Gorman) who recently left his fiancee at the altar, and vegan protester Keira (Ashleigh Cummings). Initially Luke stole the car while running away from some thugs, then ended up picking up a hitchhiking Jon after almost running him over, then picking up Keira, after she quit her fast foot job. The journey turns into them running away from cops, protesting for animal rights, and finally getting Jon to see his fiancee Susie before she leaves for a fresh start in London. And, all the while, as they evade the cops, the story goes around and country tries to cheer for... whatever they're trying to do.

The first three quarters of the movie has funny parts, great driving, great scenery of New Zealand. The three characters work well with each other. It's a fun movie that seems to be going nowhere with no clear goal, but nonetheless a fun ride. Had it ended there, it would have been a quaint movie, but otherwise forgettable.

What really sealed it for me was the last twenty minutes. It changes from a movie where you're laughing at the scenes but not really invested in the characters to where you're really, really rooting for Jon. Not giving anything away but the scene where he says "this is what it's like...me showing up for you"... just... wow.

Oh, and the driver in a mini in a chicken suit-- hilarious!

Those last 20 minutes turned this movie from a 6 to an 8 in my mind. And that's not to say it's a "6" movie with an "8" ending, only that the ending pays off so well, it just puts everything else in context and elevates the movie as a whole.

8/10. watch until the end, and note there are scenes in the credits.

Goodbye Pork Pie, the original movie was (and is) such an iconic film. It may have been made in the late 70's/early 80's, but it's one of those films which is a timeless classic. Normally, you leave such films as they are and don't even think about remaking them. For me, films like 'The Italian Job' are so iconic and making a new version just doesn't seem right.

However, sometimes against the odds, the new film is even better than the original.

The director of the new Pork Pie movie, is the son of the Director of the original Pork Pie, so having that important family connection meant that they wanted to do a good job and do justice to the original film.

They also had a bigger budget, and boy did they do a great job.

The film is funny, gripping, and entertaining.

The casting is spot on, the acting is superb and the story-line is perfect.

This film needs a worldwide release! You don't need to be a Kiwi to understand the humour, it's incredibly well written, acted & very funny.

I hope it's a HUGE success!

In debut writer/director Matt Murphy's 2017 action-drama "Pork Pie" (remaking 1980's iconic "Goodbye Pork Pie") James Rolleston, Dean O'Gorman & Ashleigh Cummings (each in a personal crisis) come together in a stolen Mini Cooper S revving from New Zealand's North Island to the foot of it's South, attracting increasing police & media attention as they rise in prominence like modern Bonnie & Clydes. Performances are fresh (esp Rolleston & O'Gorman) and the film particularly showcases the car & NZ's beautiful countryside (as a fine sales job for both). While not atop the anti-hero genre, it's still an enjoyable escapist romp.

Novelist Jon (Dean O'Gorman) is walking down the middle of the road when he almost gets run over by Luke Anahera (James Rolleston) in his Mini Cooper. Jon gets a ride with Luke without knowing that the car is stolen. Along the way, they pick up Keira Leigh-Jones (Ashleigh Cummings), a vegan activist working a burger drive-thru window.

The original was apparently a New Zealand hit. I know nothing about any of that. I come into this completely blind and this is fine. Mostly, I like the three characters and their initial get-together. I would like all of them to stay together. There are a few questionable turns and the big car chase is somewhat amusing. At the end of the day, the characters make me like the movie.