Review: The Breaker Upperers
Release on Netflix: February 15, 2019
Age Certification: 15
Run time: 90 minutes
Directors: Madeleine Sami & Jackie van Beek
Stars: Madeleine Sami & Jackie van Beek
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
The Breaker Upperers came to Netflix just one day after Valentine’s Day, but if you’re looking for a classic, rom-com, boy-meets-girl feature you will surely be disappointed. If, however, you’re seeking a slow-burning, dark-humour-filled tale of friendship then this is the film for you.
Released in New Zealand in 2018, the movie has finally come to the rest of the world thanks to the streaming service Netflix — and thank goodness. If friends Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami, the writers, directors and stars of The Breaker Upperers, are representative of the talent New Zealand is habouring then let’s hope there’s more on the way.
The film is filled with humorous moments with the perfect use of silence, a number of outlandish montages and self-deprecating jokes. Despite being the masterminds behind the film, van Beek and Sami do not keep all the best moments to themselves; minor or even unnamed characters are given the chance to steal the scene with their interactions. And you can bet it will have you laughing out loud.
What’s more The Breaker Upperers is fully aware of the social climate in which it is being released, expect jokes about sexuality, female pleasure and even race. In what could potentially be a minefield of disasters, each of these jokes is made by the perfect characters and in the perfect way.
However, the film does leave us questioning our support for the characters at the forefront, especially when you consider they are offering a service to end people’s relationships. There are questionable morals of a relationship with a 17-year-old and the fact that for the majority of the film van Beek’s character appears hard and unloveable. But as the film goes on her hard exterior is explained and we can sympathise with her — and we all know about the pushy parents or exes who’ve shaped us.
Despite taking it’s time to reach its peak this is a great film to watch with your best friend. Everyone will find themselves relating to the characters’ trials and tribulations, and experience the perfect balance of nostalgia and modern day recognition of the world we live in.
