Hunt for the Wilderpeople by Taika Waititi (2016)
Taika Waititi had been steadily building a name for himself thanks to films like Eagle vs. Shark and What We Do in the Shadows, but 2016’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople was arguably his breakthrough. Ten years on, it remains the highest grossing New Zealand film of all time, and now that I’ve finally seen it, I’m not surprised one bit. When young Ricky arrives at Bella and Hector’s remote farm, it’s his last chance in the foster system before he’s sent to juvenile detention. But when Bella suddenly dies, Ricky fakes his death and heads off into the New Zealand bush with Hector in pursuit, only for the pair to become the target of a nationwide manhunt when authorities suspect that Hector has kidnapped Ricky. When ensues is a charming, Wes Anderson-esque comedy of errors filled with dry humor and affecting performances. Which would be good enough on their own, but Hunt for the Wilderpeople is further elevated by Waititi’s inventive direction and especially the lush New Zealand countryside.
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