Hunt for the Wilder People meets all Creatures Great and Small.

Not really.

There are some light moments but this film is not a feel good movie. It is essentially about grief and having to overcome what can't be fixed in the back blocks on a dairy farm in Northland, New Zealand.

The cast includes Rachel House (Hunt for the Wilder People) and Marshall Napier (McLeod's Daughters). Cohen Holloway is excellent as Bruce.

As ever with NZ, the scenery and setting holds the attention no matter what the storyline is.

Less is more they say, and that holds true for this simple, honest film.

Having lived in rural NZ for a number of years, the film evoked a lot of memories, and captured both the stoicism and the warmth of rural communities in New Zealand.

I loved this film for it's sincerity.

Yes it is slow. Yes it is simple. But it'll put a smile on your face, and some warmth in your heart.

It's true that this is a slow burner, and its story is woven with care and attention to detail. Some of the actors are not known to me, but some were familiar faces - a good mix. I did feel a similarity to Hunt for the Wilder people to start with, but that soon went on its way, and it wandered along its own path. I found I was engrossed and anxious that nothing would interrupt my viewing - and the scenery and birdsong were beautiful. The characters were particularly well-drawn and the rural community were obviously written by someone who knows them well, and portrayed accurately too. I have seen some very good NZ productions over the past few years and this has to be up there with the best - perhaps I might edit it to a 10 after a second viewing. (I must ask someone about Cows' sense of humour though)