The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell: DVD Review
The Hopes and dreams of Gazza Snell
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films
Set in East Auckland's Howick, The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell
is the story of William McInnes' manchild Gazza Snell, whose world
is falling apart with a failing business.
All he's obsessed with is getting his eldest son to Milan for a
karting championship in Milan.
However, when his youngest is seriously injured in a crash, Gazza
loses all touch with the horrifying reality of what lies ahead -
and instead becomes insistent on focussing solely on the
karting.
That causes the family rift to widen.
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is a feelgood Kiwi battler kind
of treat- despite the initial beginnings there's plenty of warmth
in this tale of a suburban dad; thanks to good solid performances
from McInnes and Robyn Malcolm as his desperate housewife, it
succeeds - even with its sentimental ending.
It's thanks to the everyman feel of the film that it becomes a
winner - the universal tale of Gazza needing to grow up is clearly
based on a degree of reality.
There's also a lot of honesty on display in this film - in the
performances, the writing and the direction - it's an unashamedly
crowd pleasing film which is easily identifiable to many of
us.
Extras: Trailer, Video, bloopers, deleted scenes,
interviews and commentary
Rating: 8/10
