Fridae

Rather, this tender and heartfelt film lifts one's spirits because of the sheer magic of its craft. And if one's been bombarded lately by the extreme noise levels and formulaic spectacle of holiday blockbusters like Mr & Mrs Smith and Batman Begins, then In My Father's Den may help restore one's faith in the magic of small and intimate dramas.

This film centres on Paul (played by hubba-hubba Matthew McFayden), a young man who had left his rural hometown in New Zealand years ago to pursue an international career in photojournalism. Upon his father's death, he returns to his hometown to attend the funeral.

Paul is aloof and withdrawn. Having witnessed the woeful tragedies of the Bosnian War, he has become extremely weary and cynical. But it is precisely these qualities that attract 16-year-old Celia (Emily Barclay) to him. Celia is desperate to discover the world beyond the borders of her small town, and she thinks that Paul can help her.

Their friendship grows stronger as they spend time in Paul's late father's den alone. But Paul and his family have skeletons in their closet. And when these dark family secrets start to unravel, tragedy strikes.

Written and directed by New Zealander Brad McGann, In My Father's Den is a precise piece of filmmaking. Every single aspect of the film has been well measured and carefully constructed to tell the story well.

The cinematography, for instance, is hauntingly exquisite. There are many poetic, mood-drenched shots that effectively convey the emotional terrain of the characters. Whether Paul is fingering a curtain or Celia is looking at the tattoo on his toes, the air seems always pregnant with beauty or danger.

Few films in recent times have managed to convey so much so silently and so well. The haunting and intimate images are only surpassed by the breathtaking beauty of the natural landscape of New Zealand, in which the film is set.

Writer-director Brad McGann shows more control and subtlety in his direction than the vast majority of Hollywood filmmakers. It is not easy to keep an audience's attention in a character drama like this, and it is even harder to then change gear and turn the film into a psychological mystery in its second half.

But Brad seems to know exactly what he is doing, and manages to get all the separate elements to work together.

He has also cast his actors very well. Lead actor Matthew is very watchable. With his mournful face and creased brow, he is wonderfully convincing as a man burdened with too many secrets. Meanwhile, lead actress Emily is suitably young, yearning and soulful as 16-year-old Celia.

(If I may be allowed to be a himbo for a moment, there's one heart-stopping shot of Matthew in his underwear, revealing an absolutely beautiful butt and pair of legs. Yummy.)

The lead actors are well backed by the supporting cast. Colin Moy is believable in the role of Paul's elder brother Andrew, who is simmering with jealousy because Paul managed to escape the tedium of their home life and make it in the outside world. Miranda Otto (last seen as Eowyn in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy) also delivers a pitch-perfect performance as Andrew's emotionally drained and unhappy wife.

Made with the help of the New Zealand government, In My Father's Den must surely represent another high point in Kiwi filmmaking, which in 2002 scored big with the child drama Whale Rider. We'll pray for more cinematic treasures from our neighbour down South.