Delightful, is the single word that describes this gem of a film. An adventure, escape, drama-comedy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople was directed by Taika Waititi, who also wrote the screenplay, based on the book Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump.
Two people, one a troubled city kid (Julian Dennison) who had been moved from one foster home to another, the other a wilder grieving man (Sam Neill), find themselves running together from the law, and subject to a national manhunt. These two outcasts who cannot stand each other, not so surprisingly, would learn to enjoy each other’s company. And while this outcome is somewhat predictable as it is desired, it is the road they take them there, that makes their journey worth seeing.
Spiced with plenty of humor and lots of heart, Hunt for the Wilderpeople helped restore some of my faith, that the art of storytelling via film is not yet all but lost. Yes, this flick too feels compelled to go out with a big bang of a crazy car chase, but that too is done in good humor. The acting is terrific and so is the directing; even if the NZ accent is not always so easy on the ear. Yet even that adds to the charm. Highly recommended.