The story of how Radio Hauraki came to be is a truly great one.
A gang of misfits, an old ship, an intransigent government scared of the influence that long-haired rock n’roll might have on the youth of New Zealand.
There are epic characters, storms at sea, romance, tragedy, and lashings of good music.
In the hands of one of our many good script writers, and with one of our better TV drama directors at the helm, the Radio Hauraki story could have been a truly excellent Sunday night drama, that could have stacked up well against any of the recent series.
But in the hands of first-time feature writer and director Craig Newland, it just doesn’t work.
Much as I try to support the local industry, and praise what I can, 3 Mile Limit can only be called a wasted opportunity.
The actors, especially Matt Whelan and Belinda Crawley, give it their all.
But without credible dialogue, better drawn characters, and a bit more confidence and swagger in the directors’ chair, it was never going to be enough.
Ad Feedback
–
