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I'm Not Harry Jenson

I'm Not Harry Jenson

2009

A New Zealand-made whodunit following a true-life crime writer (Gareth Reeves - A Song of Good, Insider’s Guide to Love) as he struggles to overcome a writer’s block which threatens to stall his career. Shot in the Waitakere Ranges.

"Carrying off its low budget with polish and actorly flair, this earnestly lurid digi-thriller makes a bold break from years of TV stardom for writer/director James Napier-Robertson and producer/actor Tom Hern. ‘I know more about killers than they know about themselves,’ boasts Sydney true crime writer Stanley, pen-name Michael White (Reeves), but too much knowledge of his next subject, serial killer Harry Jenson, is weirding Stanley out. His desperate agent suggests joining a tramping party in NZ to clear his head. How could he guess that he's transplanting his troubled client from urban noir into a bloody backwoods whodunit? Cameron Rhodes, Ian Mune and Ilona Rodgers are amongst the familiar faces making distinctive contributions to the cunningly plotted mayhem of terror, suspicion and recrimination." - New Zealand Film Fesival 2009.

Starring Gareth Reeves, Renato Bartolomei, Ian Mune, Jinny Lee Story, Marshall Napier, Ilona Rogers, Ben Mitchell, Michelle Langstone, Cameron Rhodes, Rachael Blampied, Tom Hern

Directed by James Napier-Robertson (debut feature)

Written by James Napier-Robertson

Produced by Tom Hern

1hr 42mins | Rated (R16) | contains violence & offensive language | Origin: New Zealand | Official Site »

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The Talk

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The people's reviews

20 reviews

  • I loved this film

     5

    Daniel Steadmirth

    Nobody (?)

    Just saw it in Wellington, and I really loved this film.

    Was exactly what I was feeling like; total escapism, real tense and somewhat scary at times, and really well crafted together.

    It was fun trying to work out what was happening, and actually being able to use my brain while watching it, rather than having some Hollywood crap (see Valentines Day) spoonfeeding cookie-cutter mediocrity to me.

    Really really good job to the guys that made this. May you make many more films in the future.

    Dan

    •  

       

    • lolwut

      where can i download the movie online.. ive been searching for weeks. HELPPPPP

    •  

       

    comment / reply

    1 of 1

  • Response to Dillan and Brian Henderson.

     3

    Andy Turner

    Nobody (?)

    "Don't believe the above reviews?" ie: ALL the reviews but yours?! Dillan and Brian Henderson, who are you, the hate brothers? Dillan, YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IT and you're giving it a bad review. This is exactly the kind of attitude that ... oh, you know what. Forget it. Congratulations on being a knob and getting me to react.
    Great film guys. Not perfect. But a bloody good watch. Recommend.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Agree with Dom Post review!

     4

    Manny Henderson

    Nobody (?)

    I agree with the Dom Post review, definitely a 4 star film.

    Totally took me by surprise, to be honest I wasn't expecting that much, but as I work in the industry I try to go see locally made films, and this one was genuinely affecting.

    V. well put together, strong acting, lots of atmosphere, really nice pace, and s***loads of tension. Also they did a really good job making it feel like it was spread out in many places (NZ, Sydney etc.), whilst on the budget that they apparently had... (I do wonder if they had slightly more money than I've read they had, because it really didn't feel low budget like it should have... or they must have pulled a LOT of favours!)

    My only critique would be that I think they could have trimmed it slightly more, after the end of film climax, in the denoument. But that's a pretty small note.

    Definitely recommend people seeing it, even if you don't think you'd normally like many kiwi films.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Thoroughly engrossing film

     4

    Tracy Steadman

    Nobody (?)

    I just got back from seeing this at the Paramount matinee, and found it really gripping!

    I saw how on Good Morning, Ian Mune said his brother told him it was the best NZ film he'd seen (partly why I decided to go!), but to be honest I would agree with him. Definitely one of the best NZ films I've seen.

    Full of atmosphere and tension, and a very clever storyline... Didn't come across at all as low budget either. There wasn't much I didn't like about it. Maybe that the opening credits were too long!

    Have been recommending it to all my friends.



    Agree? Disagree?...

  • I love how...

     4

    Michael

    Nobody (?)

    The only people on here that seem to 'hate' the film are also the only people who can't seem to spell or use proper grammar...

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • A shame that Kiwi's hate Kiwi films so much!

     5

    Karen Blount

    Nobody (?)

    I really enjoyed this film, but find it a real shame that whenever a NZ film comes out, people come on here and try to trash it, writing horrible comments about it and often revealing that they haven't actually seen it at all. For some reason this doesn't happen on international films, only NZ films.

    Anyhow, I loved it, and thought it was great.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • deliverance New zealand style

     1

    helena

    Nobody (?)

    Transparent plot device: SLASH CUM TORTURE MOVIE who dun it? Noone acting had visible credibility or belief in the characters they were trying to portray as they crashed about the Huia carpark.ie silent trampers with empty new back packs.
    .No one cares that it is low budget, mnoey doesnt make a good movie! character script and plot do!
    The wobbly hand held camera and the motion sickness induced by watching this amateurish drivel wasn't the principle problem , emotionally hyperpitched cursing gibberish is not script writing.
    IIonna Rogers and Ian Mune must surely cringe when they review at how they have slummed it to feather their retirement.
    The ARC made a poor commercial descision letting these nongs clamber over the waitakeries .
    How funds raised for the production reflects on the naievity of the creditors would have beeen better investing their money on binge drinking ,it would cause less of a headache then having to deal with the repercussions of being associated with such a crock of excrement Their target audience?Their friends,?I want a refund!

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Agree with the Herald review as well!

     4

    Dave Lee-Anderson

    Nobody (?)

    I went & saw this after hearing Fabian's shoutout on bFM about it, and am stoked I did (he's a good lad).

    The tension in this thing was awesome, especially in the second half of it.

    It felt really well crafted, and crept up on you as it went on, until before you knew it you were completely on the edge of your seat.

    I did find one of the actors slightly wooden at times, but maybe it was just the role.

    V. well shot, written and edited. It bats well above its weight, especially given the budget.

    Heartily recommend (as did Fabe's).

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Agree with the Herald review

     5

    dylan bostwick

    Nobody (?)

    Just saw this at the Paramount in Welly's, and I agree with the Herald summary.... low-budget, high tension.

    I was at the edge of my seat for about 20 minutes, and my girlfriend couldn't even look sometimes! The acting was really good, as good as any kiwi film I can think of. The story was really interesting, although could have been a little faster at the beginning. It was shot really well, and looked really professional. Didn't seem low budget.

    Also the end twist was awesome, and totally caught me off guard.

    As I said, other than the slightly slow beginning, this thing cranked.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Really enjoyable kiwi flick

     4

    Katy Richardson

    Nobody (?)

    I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

    I went in with kind of low expectations (low budget, local film etc.), but was really surprised.

    These guys have put together something that is real good benchmark for NZ films. It wasn't a coming-of-age film, or a 'this is who we are' thing, but just a really tense, enjoyable and extremely well put together movie.

    I can't wait to see more from these guys in the future.

    Agree? Disagree?...

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Press Reviews

  • New Zealand Film Festival

    Carrying off its low budget with polish and actorly flair, this earnestly lurid digi-thriller makes a bold break from years of TV stardom for writer/director James Napier-Roberston and producer/actor Tom Hern.
    Read full review

  • NZ Herald (Peter Calder)

     3

    The young writer-director achieves moments of real tension - the literal revealing of the villain is a scene of some mastery - and it's a more-than-worthwhile local effort that bodes well for its makers' future careers.
    Read full review

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