The Great Maiden’s Blush

The Great Maiden’s Blush

Directed by Andrea Bosshard and Shane Loader

Rating: B+

This recent New Zealand film follows two women, Aila (Renee Lyons) and Bunny (Miriama McDowell), as they both embark upon single motherhood. Aila is an isolated older woman, lover of gardens and failed classical pianist. Her desperately wanted newborn daughter needs to have a risky heart surgery, which Aila struggles to come to terms with. Bunny on the other hand, is a taxi driver and girl racer currently serving time in prison. Because she has no family, and the father is unknown, she has to give her healthy newborn son up for adoption. This seems to be what she wants from the beginning, but as the film progresses it becomes apparent she is more attached to her son than she initially let on. Both women refuse to identify the fathers of their babies. 

Viewers are only shown the time spent in hospital, spanning over a few days, and the film ends as Bunny returns to prison and Aila returns home. However, the film makes good use of conversation between the two leads and flashbacks to tell their past, hinting at and eventually revealing the father of each baby. 

While Aila and Bunny come from two very different backgrounds, they slowly begin to develop a friendship during their time spent together at the hospital. Over the course of the film the two women become close, fighting as they challenge each other and supporting one another through the difficult decisions they must both make. 

The most interesting part of The Great Maiden’s Blush is the relationship between Aila and Bunny. Some of the acting is a little unconvincing, and some of the plot a little too dramatic and contrived, but the two central women really hold the film together. Their stark differences are used to create a believable tension, and eventually, friendship.

It seems to be a good time for New Zealand cinema, with films popping up more frequently in a variety of genres. This one isn’t a groundbreaking drama, but it was interesting to watch, and it’s exciting to see New Zealand filmmakers and actors doing things, and succeeding. 

This article first appeared in Issue 13, 2016.
Posted 12:25pm Sunday 29th May 2016 by Anonymous Bird.