Holy Days

The young "Brian" (Elijah Tamati) is still grieving for his mum, even though she has been dead for many years and his dad (Craig Hall) has a new lady in his life - the despised "Liz" (Nathalie Boltt). His only solace seems to come from the company of a trio of ageing nuns who inhabit a ramshackle covent nearby. "Agnes" (Judy Davis) takes kindly to the youngster and is rewarded with some valuable insider information. The bishop has been conspiring with the dipso, gambling, "Father Findlay" (Jonny Brugh) and is going to sell their home from under them to a property developer then turf them into a retirement home. Alarmed, she and her two colleagues "Luke" (Miriam Margolyes) and "Mary Clare" (Jacki Weaver) realise they will have to travel the length of New Zealand to find a lapsed member of their order "Patricia" (Tanya Helen) who is now a lawyer and who possesses the deeds to their home. Reluctant to bring the enthusiastic "Brian" along with them, they set of on their adventure... Can they make it back before the wrecking balls? No, I don't suppose there's really much jeopardy on that front but along the way there is plenty of mischief to be had - assuming "Agnes" ever agrees to drive faster than 30 mph. This is one of those amiable family dramas that reminded me of the kind of films the Children's Film Foundation produced in the 1960s. The kid is the star and Tamati rises to the challenge engagingly, with plenty of help from Davis and a Margolyes who shows she's still got her (Scottish) comedy timing down to a T. Along the way, there is some beautiful scenery to enjoy, a snowstorm and a reminder not to neglect our symbiosis with nature or our memories of our ancestors - especially the more recent ones. Whatever you do, don't try to read more into this than is superficially on display for it doesn't survive any sort of critique on religiosity; it's just an amiable adventure that shows there's life in the old gals yet!