The gorgeous New Zealand landscape is but one of many treasures to behold in Taika Waititi's irresistible comedy-drama about what truly constitutes a family. A farmer and rugged outdoorsman, Uncle Hec (Sam Neill) is unenthused about becoming foster dad to trouble-prone, chatterbox Ricky (Julian Dennison), but tragic circumstances force him to take greater responsibility for the boy. When a series of mishaps triggers the ill-prepared Ricky to flee into the wilderness, Hec follows suit. That’s just the start of the trouble in what turns into a freewheeling, energetic adventure that blends humor with pathos and teems with film references. Affectionate and funny, this adaptation of a novel by late New Zealand writer Barry Crump gets a further boost from a scene-stealing turn by Rachel House as an overzealous child-services worker. Writer/director Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do in the Shadows) showcases the mastery of his craft with a film different in style and approach from his previous efforts—one that warms hearts even as it tweaks authority. —Randy Myers
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The gorgeous New Zealand landscape is but one of many treasures to behold in Taika Waititi's irresistible comedy-drama about what truly constitutes a family. A farmer and rugged outdoorsman, Uncle Hec (Sam Neill) is unenthused about becoming foster dad to trouble-prone, chatterbox Ricky (Julian Dennison), but tragic circumstances force him to take greater responsibility for the boy. When a series of mishaps triggers the ill-prepared Ricky to flee into the wilderness, Hec follows suit. That’s just the start of the trouble in what turns into a freewheeling, energetic adventure that blends humor with pathos and teems with film references. Affectionate and funny, this adaptation of a novel by late New Zealand writer Barry Crump gets a further boost from a scene-stealing turn by Rachel House as an overzealous child-services worker. Writer/director Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do in the Shadows) showcases the mastery of his craft with a film different in style and approach from his previous efforts—one that warms hearts even as it tweaks authority. —Randy Myers
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