Daffodils

April 27, 2019 at 4:34 am | Posted in Film Review, Musical Review | Leave a comment
Tags: Daffodils, Entertainment, Fen Iker, Film, George Mason, Kimbra, Music, New Zealand, New Zealand Film, Rose McIver, Steph Brown

It is not often that films are made in New Zealand, let alone a musical; So I went and saw Daffodils.

Warning: plot elements discussed.

The film is based on a stage musical, that in turn is based on true events. At its core Daffodils is a love story – albeit a tragic one. The story is told by the daughter – through some classic NZ songs. Grammy Award winner Kimbra
provides the framework of the film through her portrayal of the Maisie – the daughter – as well as singing many of the songs. The film is a series of flashbacks – from the mid-’60s to an unspecified ‘present’.

Maisie’s mother, Rose, is played by Kiwi actress – Rose McIver of iZombie fame. It was nice to hear McIver’s NZ accent – rather than her US TV accent. And she has a pleasant singing voice. McIver’s voice, while not having the power of Kimbra, provided a nice emotional thread to the movie.

Rose’s husband, Eric, is played by Kiwi actor George Mason. Mason’s singing was restrained – consistent with the emotional temperament of Kiwi men in the ’60s and ’70s – almost wooden at times. Yet, it provided an appropriate emotional void that Rose – McIver’s character – eventually gave up trying to bridge.

Likes:

• The songs – Bliss, I’ll say goodbye, There is no depression in New Zealand, Drive, and more that I forget
• LIPS – the Steph Brown and Fen Ikner colaboration responsible for the music in the film and the original stage.
• Kimbra
• Rose McIver
• the cars from that period

Dislikes:

• The sad end
• No obvious theme song

The film provides a view of New Zealand in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. The sight of McIver in ’70s lycra is priceless. There is also a nice collection of New Zealand songs – that everyone in the audience recognised. It is a must see for Kiwis.