Dvd
We're Here To Help
One day in 1994, Dave Henderson (Thomson) strolled up to the tax department in Christchurch and told one of the ratty little taxmen off. Earlier that day, the taxman had made suggestive comments to Dave's ladyfriend (Smith). And so the IRD decided to make life difficult for Dave, with endless audits, red tape and legal complexities. Dave fought them though, losing his girlfriend, house & business in the process. Eventually he sought help at government level, with ACT bulldog Rodney Hide (Hurst).
Starring Miriama Smith, Erik Thomson, Michael Hurst, John Leigh, Peter Elliott, Greg Johnson
Directed by Jonothan Cullinane (feature debut)
Written by Jonothan Cullinane (based on the book 'Be Very Afraid' by Dave Henderson)
Drama, True Story, Adaptation | 1hr 25mins | Rated (PG) | contains course language | Origin: New Zealand | Official Site »
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The Talk
9 votes / 1 comments
Flicks review
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3
If ever there was a true example of a TV movie, then We’re Here To Help would be it. That’s not a cruel remark or a warning, but rather a justification that the work simply doesn’t have the extensive canvas or cinematic prowess that independent films should have. It’s cheap, simple, and rather modest. Just as well there’s a good story behind it.
In February 1994, Christchurch businessman Dave Henderson gets into a minor argument with the Inland Revenue Department. It escalates out of all proportion and the poor man finds himself losing money, his business and his family. The four-year David-and-Goliath battle takes him to the highest levels of Government.
Put this on Sunday night telly, and I’d watch it. Put it on at the cinema, and I’d get a bit bored. The story is interesting and really quite incredible considering it’s true. But the visual and artistic elements of the film are quite modest and ultimately let the whole thing down.
The mid-90s production design is great to a point, especially at one stage when David pulls out a brick-sized cellphone. But here, it also backfires in that the whole film looks like it was made a decade ago. It looks dated, and feels dated.
In fact, the most stylish thing in the whole film is the opening credits sequence. It’s modeled on an IRD form, and is cleverly animated to reveal the names of the key crew members. It’s a shame that such visual style stops so abruptly once the actual film begins. There is one particularly awkward attempt at making the film more cinematic – David is driving to the IRD office and the editing is jumpy in a futile attempt to create some sort of excitement. This ‘NYPD Blue’ sequence lasts for about ten seconds, and the only effect it actually creates is one of embarrassment.
Erik Thomson, who plays David, is an ‘everyman’; perhaps too much so. David is determined, pugnacious and driven, but not someone who I’d really want to meet. Every character actor in New Zealand gets a shot on screen too, with mixed results. Michael Hurst gives a good portrayal of feisty MP Rodney Hide – the make-up looks silly, but the character is likeable.
The sets are boring, and the whole film looks really studio-bound. Every so often there will be an exterior shot – the Beehive! Outside the office building! Walking along a road! But overall the effect is less convincing than on Shortland Street.
We’re Here To Help is more than decent. A good story manages to overcome the cheap visuals and rather bland style. But only just.
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The people's reviews
12 reviews
Press Reviews
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The Christchuch Press [Margaret Agnew]
3
1/2 This could have been an incredibly dull movie about tax. Instead, it's a tense journey into one man's all too real bureaucratic nightmare...
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The Dominion Post [Graeme Tuckett]
3
1/2 Brisk and entertaining...
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The Lumi?re Reader [Wellington]
4
You could go to We’re Here To Help because it could have happened to anyone, and because it did happen to someone. But you should go to We’re Here To Help because it is a very good movie. And if you need another reason, then consider this irony: tax-payers money went towards funding it. For a hint of egg on face, I’d say that’s the best money we’ll ever spend...
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Dan Taipua
The High Court in Christchurch placed Henderson in bankruptcy on 29 November 2010 owing around $142 Million ^_^
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