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The Insatiable Moon (2010)

Director: Rosemary Riddell

Time Out rating

Average user rating

27 reviews

Synopsis

A group of mentally challenged misfits try to save their commune from closure.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Despite the political prescience of this soap opera-like debut from Kiwi director Rosemary Riddell, exploring as it does the prickly community issues that arise from budget cuts in the social care sector, this facile and dramatically woolly film has little to recommend it. With his permanent grin, unkempt beard and cosy line in pseudo-religious, panpipes-scored babble, Arthur (Rawiri Paratene) is the roving, bare-footed idiot savant who firmly believes he’s the second son of God, and that he possesses mystical power that could prevent the inevitable closure of his ramshackle care home. His purportedly inspirational efforts take in friendship, suicide, bourgeois hypocrisy and a totally implausible love affair with a care worker who’s unhappy in her marriage (to an unironic version of Murray from ‘The Flight of the Conchords’, no less). A sizeable ensemble jostles for screen time, though Riddell doesn’t appear to be able to bestow any one character with more than a single trait. And any ‘issues’ that may surface during the proceedings are underlined, bolded, ringed in red pen and have big neon arrows pointing at them.

Author: David Jenkins

Time Out London Issue 2115: March 3 - 9, 2011

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User reviews of this film

jade said...

Posted on Mar 14 2011 21:46 Best movie I have seen. Aroha all over it and I felt afterward that I had met every character over the past decade in my central Auckland meanderings. Gosh they were real. Kia Kaha Mike and Rosemary, this movie has deeply affected me for the good.

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Lola Wihltell said...

Posted on Mar 04 2011 04:45 5 stars

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joseph said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 13:44 for the person who said this was a publicity plant, use your head most films have previews this one had a preview in the west end of london with ticket giveaways with see if first, over 400 hundred people came, so dont talk rubbish

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Roger Ibbs said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 10:34 Saw the film at its launch of Stoke Fires in Stoke-on-Trent.
Everyone entitled to their opinion mine ........................ absolutely fantastic..
If you get the chance go and see it for yourself you will not be disappointed

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Tania Roxborogh said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 09:18 Everyone is entitled to their opinion about a performance. I've read books which really annoyed me yet others loved; I've seen productions which have annoyed me but others enjoyed; same with films. I'm sorry this reviewer didn't enjoy Moon. For me, it was one of the highlights of movie going 2010. I am off to see it again with my daughter this Saturday. I am not a film maker (my expertise is in dramatic performance and writing novels) so I can't comment on the cinematography others with more knowledgeable and experience allude to. All I know is that I tell people this is a special film and it will add aroha to their kete if they see it.

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Rob Taylor said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 09:13 Maybe the poster called "truth" should change their name to post modern delusional cynic who does'nt bother to check their facts before writing. This film had selected gala performances last year to a lot of people in the mental health professions. went down a storm. And hey "Rush" I was a big fan of Benny from Crossroads! You wouldn't be a member of the EDL would you?

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Rush said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 09:03 If your idea of someone suffering from mental illness is basically a clean replica of Benny from Crossroads, then this is the film for you.

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Lola Wihltell said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 07:28 p.s screening is in London I hear

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Pat said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 06:23 I Loved This Movie! actually made me cry (& I don't cry in public!!)

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Lola Wihltell said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 06:19 Interestingly this is the first negative review I've come across since seeing the flambouyant, deeply moving Insatiable Moon back in Jan. Far more telling too than said colossal vitriolic review is the note I found online for a fundraising screening, Sat 5th March at 11.00am, Empire Cinemas for the NZ Christchurch earthquake appeal. Say no more.

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Steve said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 02:23 It looks like the reviewer has issues with something bigger than the movie itself.

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Paul Maxwell said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 02:15 Everyone is entitled to their views - but Mr. Jenkins' this facile and dramatically woolly critique has little to recommend it - and is at odds with every other review I have read - in New Zealand and the UK.

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Tim Rowe said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 01:42 For those who think that the comments are publicity plants because the film hasn't opened yet, it has been showing on long haul airline flights since last year (I saw it on a flight to Hong Kong in November) and it has already had showings in the UK (it was shown at the Greenbelt festival last August). Plenty of people have seen the film and can give genuine views -- as I am.

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Kat said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 01:35 What an absurd review. Obviously this man had a rather large carrot up his backside while watching this movie. I found it beautiful, romantic, hilarious, heart touching and moving. Perhaps Mr David Jenkins needs to begin a new career. Obviously you do not have the skills to spot a true winner.

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Huhi said...

Posted on Mar 03 2011 00:50 Tena koe David
What a load of teko you have written about this beautiful film. It is obvious you have no understanding of Te Ao Maori or Te Ao Tangata Whai Ora. I used to work as a kaitiaki in the Ponsonby area and I can tell yous that these characters are real! Next time you review a film with such a strong Maori wairua running through it, I suggest you go and learn a little bit about our people first. Otherwise it remains the same old pakeha teko, e hoa.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa

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