New Zealand feature based on the debut novel by Eleanor Catton and starring James Rolleston (The Dark Horse) as a wide-eyed teenager looking to make it as a stage actor.
"Stanley (Rolleston) is a naive newcomer drawn to the city by his passion to make it on stage. While his new best friends indulge in wilder stuff, gentle Stanley tentatively romances 15-year-old Isolde (Ella Edward). His sweet dreams may have found their nemesis in Hannah (Kerry Fox), the school’s grandstanding senior tutor. Students must deconstruct themselves, she contends, before they can play at being anybody else.
"Stanley gradually bends to her taunting style, until, in one of the dazzling turns that stud the film, he earns her applause with a hilarious, treacherously accurate impersonation of his salesman father. Even murkier waters await when his class decides that a sex scandal involving Isolde’s older sister (Alice Englert) should be intensively researched for their end-of-year show." (New Zealand International Film Festival)
The Rehearsal is a dramatic coming-of-age tale with solid direction from Alison Maclean, who co-wrote the screenplay with author Emily Perkins. It’s adapted from the debut novel by Eleanor Catton, who gets a brief cameo, as does a copy of her Booker-prize-winning tome, ‘The Luminaries’.
Full review
Edward's startling authenticity and composure as Isolde means it's hard to take your eyes off her, while Michelle Ny, Alice Englert, singer Marlon Williams and Rachel Roberts make their mark.
Full reviewThough it doesn't always unfold smoothly it remains compelling thanks to a superb cast.
Full review
In a strong year for New Zealand films, The Rehearsal is hands-down my favourite.
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