paul2001sw-1 Brad McGann's film 'In my Father's Den' starts very slowly, an account of some closed and not particularly likable brothers coming together after the funeral of their father. But their obstructive characters (and of those around them) pay dividends when they become suspects in the disappearance of a local girl; even as we learn that there's a lot of dark family history which makes them seem more understandable and sympathetic, we can also believe that they might have done something terrible; and the plot is worked out nicely. But the film isn't perfect; I like Mazzy Star, but I didn't think their music fitted well to the film; there's a reliance on arbitrarily ordered flashbacks to maintain the tension; and a certain heavy handed obviousness to the way some of the ideas are presented. The portrayal of the victim as an unusually deep soul is also unnecessary; and her supposed writings, which frame the story, are tedious and present only to assert this superfluous quality. Still, I liked the overall portrait of life in the far south of New Zealand, a place that may seem beautiful and open but which in this film, comes across as a very narrow and claustrophobic place.

Peter A Not a bad show, if a bit long and slow, but the events leading to the conclusion are totally contradicted in the subsequent flashback ..... READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO KNOW THE ENDING ..... Paul is the main guy. His brother, Andrew, tells Paul that he (Andrew) informed the girl of her true parentage, and that when she asked for proof, fatal consequences ensued; yet later, in the flashback, Paul openly discusses the parentage issue with the girl when he sees her for the last time, prior to her discussion with Andrew on the topic, so she knew the parentage situation and would therefore not have been shocked and demanded proof when Andrew ultimately told her the story! I reviewed this on the DVD, and I cannot see any alternative than a botched sequence of events.

Marilou One of the most touching films I've seen in a long time, a complicated story that unwinds slowly but powerfully due the the directing and performances of the fine cast. This film really needs to be seen, it's been buried and badly handled in that it's not out there. I had the rare opportunity to see it at a special private screening...almost no one in the USA has seen it at all, in spite of heavy festival play. Emily Barclay who play the young girl and narrates much of the film is an emerging NZ talent in league with Keisha Castle-Hughes. Mathew McFayden gives a multi-layered and complicated performance as a man estranged from the family he left behind as a teenager. The casting is believable for every character and the audience is drawn into the story. Can you hear me Weinstein Brothers-- someone needs to pick this one up and run with it!

c-smith3430 Brad macCann done a superb job on this movie. It is a beautiful and thought provoking movie. I congratulate Brad on his choice for the role of 'Paul Prior' Matthew macfadyen is superb in this movie. He sizzles on screen. What a great actor he is. The young Celia was very good too. Loved the music in the movie also and it was good the story was told in flashbacks. I loved the scene's between Paul and Celia. They were superb. Loved the scene when Paul is lying on the bed playing with the net curtains. The scene in the den where Celia tells Paul her dream was so moving and when Celia confronts Paul about the photo. Matthew was superb in that scene. His looks said it all. I could go on and on. Congrats again to Brad.