Culture

Directed by Paul Murphy. 3/5
Love Birds continues the recent New Zealand trend of lighthearted genre films. Since Sione’s Wedding we’ve had No.2, Boy, Paul Murphy’s Second Hand Wedding and now Love Birds, also directed by Murphy. Starring Rhys Darby and Sally Hawkins, Love Birds is a generic romantic comedy that borrows elements from many of those other films (such as the musical fantasy sequences found in Boy, though here with Queen instead of MJ) but has enough charm and genuine New Zealand humour to make it worth parting with your money for.
 
Doug is a regular New Zealand male, content with his job, friends and life, but who finds himself single after his long-term girlfriend leaves him for failing to live up to her expectations. By coincidence (or fate), an injured duck enters his life, which leads him to meet Sally. Although the two are romantically compatible, they must surmount many obstacles and learn many lessons before they can find happiness together. We all know how romantic comedy works so I don’t need to explain much more - there are no massive deviations from the formula here. Even if the film is predictable, Rhys Darby’s charismatic comedy and the often-amusing script make the film worthwhile.
 
While not the deepest of films, Love Birds is highly enjoyable and would perfectly complement a night out with your special someone. If you’re not lucky enough to have a special someone, you’ll most likely still find something to enjoy, as long as you’re into ducks, Queen and having a laugh. I just hope that if our national cinema is to continue down this lighthearted route, we won’t abandon our dark and damaged cinema of old.