Sotto un tetto di stelle

I have watched this film many, many times. Kate, a young girl watches as her father leaves to find work. She has no mother, she is sad. She is late for school and made to stand in class, then picked on by others during the break. Whereupon he decides to runaway.

Earlier she had met a swagman who tells her if you want to do something, do it. This man later crops up as various times during the film. He exudes benevolence. Then Kate meets Patrick, who is clearly on the run. At first he does not even realise she is a girl. Rather reluctantly, certainly on his part, they link up. She is a nuisance he could do without. There are times they are going to go their separate ways, but cannot. On one occasion, Patrick rushes after her when he fears she is being picked up by a stranger ; another time she saves him being beaten up. They relationship becomes close.

Clearly their relationship is going to be very important to both of them for the rest of their lives. They will never forget. This film is real, not sentimental. The two central actors work wonderfully well together, and are very sympathetic characters. They both deliver the goods magnificently . The director is clearly on the side of the under-dog. Those in authority do not come out of it very well. And that includes a man who is trying to start a riot.

The scenery, the light, is amazing. I cannot fault this fault. This is one of my favourite films. If you have not seen it, give it a try. It is moving, but also have much humour. At one point they are rowing, then Patrick literally falls in the mire, then gets covered in feathers. They then both laugh. Such is their relationship.

A real delight.

I found this movie to be a really good and uplifting film. It features a couple on the lam from various unjustices in life during depression-era New Zealand and does a good job in all areas, including character development and good and interesting situations. You might like this film if you can find it. I liked it.

*** out of ****

I remember see film along time ago on television. A young girl search for her father after he left her looking work in 1930's New Zealand. On her travels meet a man who helps poor families keeping their property, and is a fugitive from justice. All the performances are wonderful and the scenery in New Zealand is beautiful. I highly recommend watching this film. Something not to pass up to see.

The initial plot set-up for "Starlight Hotel" is virtually identical to that of an American film made two years earlier called "The Journey of Natty Gann". Greer Robson plays young Kate, whose father leaves New Zealand to find work during the Great Depression. After things don't quite work out with being left behind, she decides to find her own way out to meet him. This film isn't quite as well-realized as the aforementioned American production, but it's still an excellent watch for kids. There's two major highlights here - the first is Greer Robson (who I'd liked in "Smash Palace", made six years earlier) who gives a very engaging, natural performance. The second is the vivid and beautiful cinematography by Warrick Attewell.

The major, distracting downside is the music. Instead of making something a little more chronologically appropriate for a film set in the 1930s, Andrew Hagen and Morton Wilson composed a soundtrack full of echoey synths and tickling pop piano. It's rages above the soundtrack like a whore with hideous makeup. It's the only time I've ever heard music that was so bad it came close to sinking an entire film.

There's all the inherent improbabilities one might expect from an adventure story aimed at younger audiences, but it doesn't fly in the face of reality too much. None of the humor is cheap or easy. "Starlight Hotel" is generally a lighthearted film, and by extension, a rather lightweight one as well. I enjoyed a lot. You should too, especially if you watch it with children.

so when i was eight this film came out. i don't remember much about it. crazy thing: though i remember nothing about it. not even that it was set in new Zealand. i remember liking the characters and believing in whatever their adventure was. i'd grown up watching old films on the weekends with my grandfather and had seen a lot of movies for a kid my age but for some reason watching this film i said: "i have to-have to-make films like this! and i can, i just need the means." well years later i'm an indie-director and have just embarked on the process of actually having one of my scripts optioned and sold... for no reason at all i was walking home tonight from a script meeting and this film popped into my head after nearly 20 years! i plan to rent it soon and will probably be embarrassed by it's quality or lack there of but hey, i think i can say it had a big influence on my journey to wherever i'm going... heh. oh well.

just thought i'd post this before i had the chance to regret it.