Birth, Deaths and Marriages

In the depths of Upper Hutt, 1994, the Hart clan is going through a very bad-hair day.

Hugh returns from a quick foray to the supermarket for emergency supplies to bolster morale after her cousin Sinead is jilted at the altar, only to find all the rellies facing another upset: grandma has gone. Well, she’s still at home, but she’s popped her clogs. Sad as the situation is, at least the wedding food and flowers might be repurposed. Aunty Ngaire is on the case. And no way is a death going to interrupt Shannon’s plans to chase a bit of cheap trouser on a Saturday night. A girl has priorities, and if grandma were upright, she’d be all for it. Unfortunately, she’s out flat in the bed/birth room – soon-to-be-mum Katherine, floundering in the paddling pool, gives short shrift to hubby Ari’s concerns about this combo not being tikanga. What about Irish tikanga, eh? Sinead packs a sad in the bath. Reluctant groom Dean pathetically hovers. Storm vociferously offers unrequested grief therapy tips. And Aidan, originally tasked with filming the wedding, now has his eye on posterity.

This spirited debut feature boasts snappy dialogue and sharp performances and adds a tangy Kiwi slant to classic domestic farce.