Murmurs (2004)

movie

(80)

Country: New Zealand
Genres: Drama, Mystery
Release: 2004-07-25
Director: Alexander Greenhough , Elric Kane
Writers: Alexander Greenhough , Elric Kane
Language: English
Stars: James Ashcroft , Josh Cameron , Daniel Cleveland , Angela Green , Dorian Knight , Gabrielle Millar , Daniel Northcott , George Rose , Kristin Smith , Julian Wilson
Runtime: 106 min
Awards: N/A
AKA: Murmurs (New Zealand)
Plot: Ah, the digital age; a magical era when one can see one's movie completed with a minimum of budget and in rapid time. Or more often, no budget and indecent haste. This 91-minute would-be 'noir' creation (well, it IS in black and white) moves at a snail's pace and tells the story (such as it is) of a bunch of Wellington flatmates who mostly sit around smoking cigarettes (drinking game ahoy! Don't use anything stronger than beer, though) and talking about the rent, the dishes, the phone bill and other pressing matters. There's a faint smudge of a 'mystery' plot involving an absent flatmate, but don't get too excited (in fact, that should have been the tag line on the cover). Direction-wise, several shots are continued well past the comfort barrier, and one almost expects the actors to turn around and ask if the scene is over. It's all very well to get up and make a movie, but mood is no substitute for a good plot and script. As far as this viewer's engagement went, this movie was pure 'log fire' video.
IMDB:tt0428860