There's a bumper crop of New Zealand films at the local box office with three new releases in cinemas this week.
First is Nelson-shot thriller Northspur, second is Cliff Curtis' film Muru, and now we have Punch.
From first-time feature filmmaker Welby Ings, Punch was shot on Auckland's west coast, with Brit import and all-round legend Tim Roth in the fray.
Roth plays Stan, an alcoholic former boxing champ in small-town New Zealand, coaching his talented son Jim to reach the greatness he once strived for. He sees so much for his son while not seeing him at all.
When Jim forms an unlikely friendship with Whetu, who lives on the fringes both of the town and the people in it, Jim's sexual awakening will throw his boxing ambitions against the ropes and send all three lives spiralling into directions none saw coming.
There is such heroism to Whetu and newcomer Conan Hayes shines. His performance amplifies Whetu's, his vulnerability and pain, using it to fuel his individuality, passion and purpose.
The narrative here suffers from a patchy surge and ebb which sucks a little of the drama out but there's no questioning the heft and weight of this emotional, very personal and incredibly important story.
Three-and-a-half stars.
