"Thrills, tragedy, fantasy, farce - Preston wants you to have it all. But despite the heroism of Blake's performance, the story just can't take the weight." Sandra Hall SYDNEY MORNING HERALD "Engrossing, infuriating, ultimately puzzling. A strangely entertaining psycho spin on Dead Calm." EMPIRE MAGAZINE "Rachael Blake, so wonderful in Lantana, gives another superb performance here, intelligent and touching, while Sam Neill successfully combines charm and menace as the stranger who changes Melanie's life. It's virtually a two-hander, though a third character appears late in the day, and the other star of the film is the landscape, the wintry west coast of the South Island which is so evocatively photographed by Alun Bollinger. Perfect Strangers is one of the best films to come from New Zealand in recent years." David Stratton SBS MOVIE SHOW "This is not a film where one wants to speculate too much on the plot twists. You just have to trust yourself to it, much as Melanie does to The Man. The film looks terrific, and is ultimately a gripping experience. The wild west coast of New Zealand serves as a rugged and threatening background to this adult and highly intelligent take on the modern gender war." Julian Wood FILMINK MAGAZINE

"A chilling story about obsession, Perfect Strangers puts a dent in the mould of fairy tale romance by allowing the prey to become the hunter: the ingredients of love and fear are roughly stirred to deliver a magical combo." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE "Reminiscent at first of themes explored in The Collector (1965), Perfect Strangers changes gears to become a psycho-thriller and then again to a fully fledged, psyched out fantasy." Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE "This is one of the most intriguing films to appear in a long time — richly romantic, perplexing and ultimately asking more questions than it answers. The performances from Rachael Blake, Sam Neill and Joel Tobeck are superb and the photography by veteran Alun Bollinger equally so. But it's Gaylene Preston's tough-minded, imaginative direction that creates the framework and it's the way she challenges our preconceptions that will keep you wondering long after you leave the cinema. Don't miss it." Peter Thompson SUNDAY NINE NETWORK

At A Glance Have you ever heard the expression, "this is so bad it's good"? Of course you have. Well it certainly applies to Director, Writer and Producer Gaylene Prestons film "Perfect Strangers" starring Sam Neill and Rachael Blake, and no, "Perfect Strangers" isn't one of the best films to come out of New Zealand in years. The unfortunate fact is that "Perfect Strangers" just tries too hard, it tries to give too much. That's not to say "Perfect Strangers" isn't entertaining, because despite all it's glaring faults it is a pleasant film to watch, and one doesn't feel 'empty' when leaving the theatre. Fortunately, the saving grace for "Perfect Strangers" comes from a real power-house performance by Rachael Blake who is dynamite in the role of Melanie. The other saving grace is the beautiful setting for the film. "Perfect Strangers" is obviously aimed at the 'chick flick' market with it's storyline about a single, aging woman who can't meet 'Mr Right' and is desperate to find a decent guy. One who doesn't snore, isn't lousy in bed and doesn't have smelly feet. Gee, isn't that a revelation. Of course if you hang around pubs and get pissed off your face, what else would you expect to wake up next to, right? I can see all those lovely, lonely ladies out there reading this and nodding their heads in agreement. To many women Blakes co-star Sam Neill is a bit of a hunk but I doubt they'll find much to bond to here for this would have to be the most lack lustre, ludicrous, inane character I've seen Sam Neill portray. His role as "the man", a loner without a name, is one that is both infuriating and hilarious, considering it's meant to be so seriously threatening. Then there is Joel Tobeck as Bill. He's the one whose lousy in bed, snores and has smelly feet. Tobeck just adds more to the woes of the males who appear in this film. As for the rest of the guys we see in "Perfect Strangers", well their just piss head yokels at the local pub where Melanie, Aileen and Andrea are on the hunt for of all things, yes you guessed it, "Mr Right". But on a serious note, "Perfect Strangers" is, in the words of "the Man', a film about commitment, the one thing every woman wants from a man. The proviso is they must be willing to commit too. In it's zany, crazed, wonderfully abstract story, we discover through "Perfect Strangers" what commitment means for Rachael thanks to the wisdom, perseverance and patience of "the man" [ that's the one with no name]. "Perfect Strangers" may be disjointed, it may be just a little incredulous, it may be far from "Perfect", but keep your eye on Rachael Blake and the stunning scenery and I guarantee you'll be mesmerized by this deranged little thriller. "Perfect Strangers is Directed, Written and Produced by Gaylene Preston ["Mr Wrong", "Ruby and Rata", "Bread & Roses" and "War Stories: Our Mothers Never Told Us"] winner of 11 New Zealand film awards and on the international scene received Silver Clio and Mobius Awards for outstanding direction of a commercial. In 2001 she honoured by the NZ Arts Foundation when she was named as the countries first film maker Laureate. The following year, 2002, the NZ Government rewarded her for contribution to the film industry by appointing her as an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit. She has produced a number of documentaries including the award-winning feature "Punitive Damage" and "Coffee, Tea and Me?" Prestons films have been selected for major film festivals in Venice, Sundance, Toronto, London, Melbourne and Sydney.
Rachael Blake stars as Melanie. The Australian born actress shot to prominence thanks to the smash hit aussie drama "Lantana". Her role as Jane O'May was rewarded with an AFI award for best supporting actor. But soapie fans would have seen Rachael long before "Lantana" when she appeared in the TV series "Home and Away" [1995 to 1997] as 'Mandy' Thomas. Blakes next film is "Missing Tom" costarring with Colin Friels, David Field, Kevin Harrington and Bill Hunter. Her other credits include narrating "The Letter", "Blindman's Bluff" [2000] and "Paws" [1997]. Her TV credits include "grass Roots", "Water Rats", "The Three Stooges", "Nowhere Land" and of course "Wildside".
Alun Bollinger is one of New Zealands leading Cinematographers with credits in a number of international films including "Heavenly Creatures", "Goodbye Pork Pie" and "Vigil". More recently he was involved in the production of "Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Ring" in the role of Scenic Cinematographer. Bollinger also worked on three of Preston's films, "Mr Wrong", "Bread & Roses" and "War Stories: Our Mothers Never Told Us".
Sam Neill stars as "The Man". Neill has had a long and healthy career in film taking on a diviersity of roles from drama to comedy. Neill was seen recently in the aussie comedy "Dirty Deeds" and also appeared in the hit "The Dish". In 1993 he made appearances in the Speilberg classic Jurassic Park and the critically acclaimed Jane Campion film "The Piano" which also launched the career of Anna Paquin. Although Neill had been around for years prior to these films screening, it was through these two films that many 'discovered' he was a consumate actor. And here's some Neill trivia. Sam Neill was born Nigel Neill in Ireland. He has a vineyard in the Hunter Valley named "Two Paddocks" and together with John Clarke and Jay Cassells founded Huntaway Films. Neill also appeared with Clarke in the zany [but fabulously entertaining] film , "Death In Brunswick". Some of Neills other credits are "Sleeping Dogs" [1981], "The Final Conflict" [1982], "Enigma" [1983], "Dead Calm" [1989], "Sirens" [1994], "The Horse Whisperer" [1998] and "Bicentennial Man" [1999]. The Story On a night out with her girlfriends Aileen and Andrea, Melanie meets the "Perfect Stranger". He appears charming, he has manners and he's a cut above the other prospective males at the pub. Your place or mine is the usual line and when it's dropped Melanie, being all too familiar with her place suggests they go to his. His place turns out at first sight to be a fishing boat, moored at the harbour. A drink on board and Melanie passes out from a heady night. When she awakes the boat is well at sea. It seems "The Man" is keeping his promise. He's taking her to his place, a hut on an isolated part of an island off the coastline. Initially it seems an idyllic romantic setting but then things start to turn nasty. "The Man" looses some of his charm. Trapped with a stranger who seems far from 'perfect' Melanie tries to escape. The Verdict "Even though there are some pretty ludicrous moments in "Perfetc Strangers' it is still rather entertaining. The biggest drawcard for "Perfect Strangers" is the strong performance by Rachael Blake in the lead role as Melanie. That is the best recommendation one could give [except for the scenery] for seeing "Perfect Strangers". And it's not just a condescending gimme. Blake is good." The Cast

Sam Neill Rachael Blake Joel Tobeck Robyn Malcolm Madeleine Sami Paul Glover

... ... ... ... ... ...

Man Melanie Bill Aileen Andrea Jim

The Crew Directed by Gaylene Preston Produced by Robin Laing Written by Gaylene Preston Associated Producer Jay Cassells Cinematography by Alun Bollinger Film Editing by John Gilbert A.C.E Sound Recordist Ken Saville Sound Designer Tim Prebble Costume Design by Helen Bollinger Makeup Supervisor Majory Hamlin Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist Jane O'Kane Production Designer Joe Bleakley Run Time minutes Rated [AUST] Copyright ©2003 - - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2003 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved