Film Review: The Breaker Upperers

‘The Breaker Upperers’ (dir. Madeleine Sami, Jackie van Beek) 

For the right price, BFFs Jen and Mel will ruthlessly end any romance. But when one of them grows a conscience, their friendship begins to unravel.

This surreal, unique comedy from debut New Zealand writer/director/starring duo Sami and van Beek delivers engaging performances, a clever script and a thoroughly enjoyable film.

The on-screen chemistry between Sami and van Beek as Mel and Jen is captivating, and their comedic performances are equally engaging. Their relationship is authentic and they compliment each other brilliantly as a leading pair. The supporting cast are also excellent, each bringing a unique style to their characters which create a brilliantly surreal comedic energy surrounding the world of the film.

The witty script is expertly crafted, allowing each character to shine and honestly explore their relationships. The film does delve into surreal elements, executed through excellent editing by Tom Eagles, but the emotional core is present throughout. The narrative provides satisfying character growth, with small gags dotted throughout that develop their own sub narratives, adding to the emotional journey of the film.

‘The Breaker Upperers’ is yet another example of the excellent filmmaking and comedic talent from New Zealand, this film was executively produced by Taika Waititi, the director of many critically acclaimed films including ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ and ‘Thor Ragnarok’, and features cameo appearances from many excellent New Zealand comedians. If you have never seen a New Zealand film before, I highly recommend this as its unique sense of humour is characteristic of the excellent work being made there.

Watch the film here: netflix.com/watch

4 Stars