N.Z. film praised in U.S.

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 7

N.Z. film praised in U.S.

NZPA Washington The “New York Times” has lauded the New Zealand film, “Skin Deep,” as a “nice, socially aware comedy.” The “Times" critic, Vincent Canby, also praised what he called an “excellent” cast. The 103-minute film is one of several being shown at the New York Museum of Modern Art’s eighth annual new direct-ors-new films series. “Skin Deep” is the first 35mm feature film which has used New Zealand resources and talent exclusively. Shot on location in Raetihi, it tells what happens after a city masseuse arrives in “Carlton,” a sleepy, conventional town. It explores the town’s conflicts and tensions with the masseuse a focal point round whom revolves the frustrations, jealousies, and sexual conflicts of the local men and their wives. The film was selected after initial exposure at the Chicago International Film Festival last November. Mr Canby wrote that "Skin Deep,” directed by

Geoff Steven, was the sort of comedy Hollywood might have made 30 or 40 years ago, “when movies did not have to be blockbusters, and when moviemakers were allowed to express some interest in the quality of life around them/’ He said it recalled two recent films but said in many ways its view of life in small towns was more bleak, its attitude toward hypocrisy more angry, and its disgust with economics less satiric. “I am not sure that it is thus more honest, only that it is more inclined to worry.” He said he also suspected that because Mr Steven knew that small towns like “Carlton” were very easy to make fun of, he had made his film with care and given it characters he would like to respect, in spite of their short-sighted attempts to harness progress.

“He had also assembled a cast of excellent actors, particularly Ken Blackburn as the head of the local businessmen’s club and Grant Tilly as a henpecked husband, for whom

the easy-going Sandra Ray (Deryn Cooper) represents his most wicked dreams come true.” Mr Canby said Miss Cooper’s performance was the best of all. She “has the look of a woman who has been through everything once, at a very early age. and is not about to suffer twice. It is a secure, intelligent performance, strong without a bit of toughness. Like the New Zealand countryside. . . the character is both beautiful and utterly lonely.”