TWO LITTLE BOYS

New Zealand, 2012, 95 minutes, Colour.
Brett Mc Kenzie, Hamish Blake, Maaka Pohatu.
Directed by Robert Sarkies.

Yes, there is a reference to Rolf Harris’ song, Two Little Boys, but the film takes their story a long way from Rolf’s lyrics. It is New Zealand, 1993. And the setting is Invercargill, the South Island’s most southern city (seen in The World’s Fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins). The scenery bonus is the rugged coastline, cliffs, crags, inlets, lighthouses as well as the beaches. And they are worked into the plot.


1. A New Zealand story? Of the 1990s? 21st century perspective? Humorous, serious?

2. The title, Rolf Harris’s song – similarities, but differences?

3. The Invercargill setting, the city, homes, the countryside, the roads, the coast and the cliffs, the inlets, gorges, the beaches, the lighthouse? Atmospheric?

4. The range of songs, the musical score, the songs and their lyrics and comment?

5. Nige, his voice-over, his confession, his estimation of himself, the events, his feelings, his relationship with Deano, with Gav, with Monica? His dilemmas, upset? The resolution?

6. Driving the laps around Invercargill in the early morning, the accidents, his trying to avoid the cat, killing the soccer player? His reactions, down the hole, getting Deano to help, the body in the boot? The arguments with Deano, not talking to him, the explanations?

7. Deano, Nige’s explanation about his background, from Australia, coming to New Zealand, his family, school friendship? The flashbacks, the kids, the mockery of Nige, his awkwardness? The jump and his refusal – and his later jump and regaining confidence? Deano and his being outgoing? Best friends? Sharing the hut together?

8. Deano, extroverted, his feelings, cheering Nige, the appeals, the tantrums, the body in the ditch, getting it out, going home, the boot, cutting up the body, putting it in the knapsack?

9. Nige, his bewilderment, Deano taking charge, throwing the body in the river, its not sinking, getting it out again, throwing it over the gorge?

10. The house, the memories, the comedy routines?

11. Gav, Maori background, big, Nige’s friend, Deano and his taunts? Gav and his being poetic, pleasant, travelling with them, on the beach, riding the dolphin?

12. Deano and his plan, his wanting to kill Gav? The new perspective on him? Being more sympathetic while talking about his death?

13. Nige and his being upset, their going to the old schoolhouse, the memories of his being afraid to jump, his jumping, being confident, Mr Abercrombie and the group, accosting Nige and Deano, their insulting him because they were no longer students? Nige and his change and confidence?

14. Nige, the relationship with Monica, on and off, her not wanting to commit, the child?

15. Going to the lighthouse, Gav and his being poetic about the beauty, Deano and his response, pushing Gav over – and the irony of his landing safely? Nige and his arrival? Both of them over the cliff?

16. On the rocks on the island? The helicopters, the rescue? Deano and his cheerfulness, taking all the blame, going to jail? Nige’s comments that Deano was much the better for going to jail? Gav, his book of poems, the book launch and his being celebrated? Nige, the reunion with Monica and their son? The happy ending – the blend of the serious and the comic, New Zealand style, South Island style?