SUNDAY
New Zealand, 2014, 71 minutes, Colour.
Dustin Clare, Camille Keenan.
Directed by Michelle Joy Lloyd.
Sunday is a small and modest film coming from New Zealand.
It is really a two-hander, played by Dustin Clare and Camille Keenan. The action takes place over 24 hours.
Eve goes to the airport to meet Charlie, who is away most of the year driving army vehicles in war zones. Eve wants to tell Charlie that she is pregnant and that she would like him to stay at home. The drama focuses on her longing for some kind settled life, the preparation for giving birth, her love for Charlie and her sometimes-desperation with him and his attitudes. The drama also focuses on Charlie, his personality, fairly macho, sometimes sensitive, but enjoying his work and his commitment to it.
The setting of the film is Christchurch, after the destruction by the earthquakes. As Eve and Charlie move about the city, visiting the cathedral to talk about a wedding, going for a cup of coffee, playing outdoor chess, going to the water and remembering the lyrical times they had which you have seen during the credits, they continually pass by buildings which have collapsed and other signs of destruction as well as the beginnings of building again.
Sometimes the mood is serious, sometimes humorous – especially when they are at home and there is a knock on the door and a very awkward rap-greeting singer arrives to deliver a message; they discuss baby's names (even Sunday) and whether it is a boy or a girl.
Many audiences will identify with the two characters, the dilemmas, their problems, their hopes – and the uncertainty when employment clashes with settling at home. Some of the dialogue shows great sensitivity and challenges the audience to consider where they stand emotionally and in objective judging of what they think ought to happen.
1. A small film? From New Zealand? The focus on Christchurch?
2. Christchurch, the city, the aftermath of the earthquakes, the ordinary aspects, the strong spirit, the ruins, the cathedral? Ordinary situations, punting on the river, the giant chess pieces, the cafes? The lookout and Christchurch at night? The musical score?
3. The credits, the range of flashbacks, introduction to Charlie, to Eve, their love, the later flashbacks throughout the film, highlighting the love, the relationship, the water, holding each other, the jump together? the enigmatic picture of the bursts of fire?
4. Eve, pregnant, going to the airport, her love for Charlie, greeting him? His short time with her? Driving the trucks in convoys in war situations? His going away, so much of the year? Her character, his character, strong man, long hair, the love, his macho attitudes, even to love? The child to be a girl – and the discussion of calling her Sunday?
5. The action taking place over 24 hours, the tension in Eve, the conversations, the walk, the trainer and Charlie accusing him of being gay? His hostility – and the story about the toothbrush and his weeing over it? His stating that the vessel was not a gondola but a punt? Going on the river, Eve saying she had met someone else? His stripping, getting out of the boat, confronting her? Why was Eve telling him? Some manipulation? Walking through the city, the Catholic cathedral, the information about the baptism?
6. Eve being left alone, pregnant, her moods, going to the toyshop, the machine for the milk and Charlie’s not understanding, it seems would have to get work? Her expectations, his expectations?
7. The comedy of the rap-o-gram, the lyrics, Eve’s reaction, Charlie’s embarrassment, the awkwardness of the singer, his lurching away??
8. Playing the chess, her easily winning? The cafe, the drinks? Comfortable with each other?
9. The intimate scenes together, Charlie lying on her, talking to the baby, discovering it was a boy, his imagining kicking the football with him? Going up to the lookout, the conversation overlooking Christchurch?
10. Next day, the effect of the time on each of them, at the airport, the farewell, Charlie looking back, Eve looking with hope?
11. The open ending – and what the audience was wanting, and what the audience thought would happen?
