By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Gaysorn Thavat
Starring: Amelie Baynes | Angus Stevens | Erroll Shand | Essie Davis | Ryan O'Kane | Thomasin McKenzie
Country: new_zealand
Year: 2022
Running time: 101
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11041106/reference
Michael says: “Essie Davis is on a roll with portrayals of fierce but flawed mothers protecting their children. She made a big impression in THE BABADOOK, then followed that up with BABYTEETH. Now she tops THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING, which, with a name like that, conjures pictures of outlaws and rifles in the Australian outback. Instead, we have Bunny brandishing a squeegee, on the busy streets of an Australian city, trying scrounge up some change so she can find a place of her own to live and rescue her two children from foster care. Bunny is a complex character: quick-witted but with a hair-trigger temper. It becomes clear early on that her children are the driving force that keeps her going, but it’s also clear that there was an incident in her past that put her in this precarious position, one that challenges the meaning of fairness in a city that tends to forget people like her. Bunny refuses to let herself be forgotten though. While searching for a place to live, she’s sleeping on her sister’s couch, helping out with childcare, and washing her brother-in-law’s car. When she witnesses something that put her teenaged niece (played exquisitely by Best Actress Chlotrudis nominee for LEAVE NO TRACE) Thomasin McKenzie, she can’t help but ask, even though it dashes her latest hope for being reunited with her children.
“From there Bunny’s life begins to unravel fast, even as she continues to do what she can to get her kids back, and now, save her niece as well. She takes advantage of people who defy her or who help her… all with her goals firmly driving her on. As the movie spirals to its inevitable conclusion like a locomotive headed a broken down bridge, the screenplay takes a few wide swings for the sake of drama, which can be forgiven for the overall strength of the film. This is really Davis’ film, and she makes it work despite any minor shortcomings. There’s humor, there’s tragedy, there’s danger, there’s tenderness, and Essie Davis delivers every step of the way. She is ably assisted by McKenzie in a challenging role that she nails beautifully, as well as a strong supporting cast. I’m betting this will be my high point for Tribeca, and it’s definitely going to be tough to beat. 4.5 cats
“Screened at Tribeca Festival 2021”
Chris says: “Essie Davis is a powerhouse (and Thomasin McKenzie’s good too) in a film that’s more of a well-intentioned if somewhat bumpy ride. 3 cats”
Julie says: “Another movie that was hard to motivate to see (based on depressing subject matter) but I liked this one a lot! Worth seeing! Essie Davis deserves a nomination for best actress even though she did not make the cut for noms….my guess is combo of fewer people seeing this one before noms combined with stiff competition for best actress category. 4.5 cats”