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In My Father's Den film review
IN MY FATHER'S DEN
Running time: 126 mins
Starring: Matthew Macfadyen, Emily Barclay, Miranda Otto
The best film to come out of New Zealand since 2002's Whale Rider, In My Father's Den has so many positive attributes that it's difficult to know where to begin. A deeply layered mystery thriller written and directed by first-timer Brad McGann (and based on the novel of the same name by Maurice Gee), it's a story that compulsively twists and turns until its closing moments. A wonderful cast and beautiful cinematography should combine to make this a word-of mouth success.
Paul (Matthew Macfadyen) is a thirtysomething war photographer who returns to his small hometown in New Zealand for the funeral of his father. His reception is initially less than favorable: a jealous brother wants little to do with him and his first love is now grown up with her own child. Despite this unpromising start, Paul sticks around and soon finds himself back teaching at his own school.
When one of his pupils named Celia (Emily Barclay) develops a crush on him, Paul tries to deflect the unwanted affections of a teenager. But he finds out some crucial information that brings the two together as the town looks on with a collective raised eyebrow. Inevitably, the strain begins to show: a tragic act occurs and Paul is suspected of a crime he may or may not have committed.
Brad McGann allows his story and characters to develop and breathe in a film that is often languid but never less than engrossing. He avoids the usual first-timer mistakes of trying to do too much and showing off, and along with cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh (Once Were Warriors) creates a perfect visual tapestry of the surroundings, with music playing an integral part.
He also gets the best out of a hugely talented cast. While all of the supporting members do an excellent job, the honours go to the two leads. Matthew Macfadyen (familiar from TV's Spooks) shows just why he is tipped to be the next big thing and delivers a complex, psychological performance of the type that we seem to see less and less of on the big screen these days.
Macfadyen has a perfect foil in the shape of Emily Barclay, who plays the smitten student and gives - to use well-worn cliché - a performance way beyond her years. It's no surprise to learn that Barclay was discovered by the same casting agent who gave us Oscar winners Anna Paquin and Keisha Castle-Hughes, and any Hollywood agent worth their salt should be on their way out to sign up this immensely promising talent. A mix of ingénue, adolescent and aspirational teenager, her Celia is a triumph.
Although it's likely to get caught in the mix of Hollywood blockbusters during its cinema release, In My Father's Den is a film that should have legs and a deserved shelf life, and it makes us look forward to the next projects from all involved. Pleasingly, it also received funding fro the UK Film Council.
Paul Hurley
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