Big Man Little Affair
Big Man Little Affair

Movie spotlight

Big Man Little Affair

1989
Movie
90 min
Cantonese

Joseph is an advertising man whose wife and mother in law want a grandson. He is saddled with a loud-mouthed Taiwanese partner, who takes him to Taiwan for a business trip. There, he becomes involved with an apparently sweet Taiwanese woman.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Lee TamahoriGenres: Drama, Crime

Plot Summary

The film centers on an Australian sheep farmer who travels to New Zealand to settle the affairs of his recently deceased brother. Upon arrival, he discovers his brother was involved in a dangerous criminal underworld and becomes entangled in their illicit activities. He must navigate this treacherous new environment while dealing with his own grief and the secrets his brother left behind.

Critical Reception

Big Man Little Affair received a mixed to positive reception, with critics often highlighting its gritty portrayal of rural life and crime, and the performances of its lead actors. Some found the pacing to be uneven, but it was generally praised for its atmospheric tension and exploration of dark themes. The film is considered a notable work in New Zealand cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric tension and raw depiction of Australian and New Zealand rural life.

  • The performances, particularly from Bruno Lawrence, were frequently cited as a strong point.

  • Some critics noted pacing issues and a somewhat predictable plot progression.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their aggregated summary is not readily available for this film.

Fun Fact

The film was based on a novel by Australian author John R. Smith.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review