Something to watch tonight: Thursday 6 March
Dean Spanley (Fraser, 2008)
The newsletter you are currently holding in your hands* is the 400th edition that we have sent out. Amazing.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this sometimes shaky endeavour (especially the editor-in-chief). When we launched back in July 2023, I committed to sending a recommendation every weekday at 3.15pm (except public holidays and the Christmas/New Year break) and I think I’ve only missed one appointment.
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I’m a professional but professional opportunities are shrinking (as they are in lots of areas). Even the usually reliable RNZ is increasingly running reviews from the ABC in Australia rather than commissioning local writers.
On this day (or thereabouts) in 2009, I reviewed Toa Fraser’s delectable second feature, Dean Spanley:
Dean Spanley is a delightful, semi-local, surprise directed by No. 2’s Toa Fraser and starring Sam Neill, Bryan Brown and Peter O’Toole. Once a week Fisk Jr (Jeremy Northam) dutifully visits his irascible old father (O’Toole). On an outing to hear an Indian swami talk about reincarnation they meet Dean Spanley (Neill) who, when suitably lubricated, reveals his own experiences with reincarnation (or his own mental befuddlement depending on your point of view).
Utterly charming, moving and sweet, Dean Spanley is a very safe bet for a night out. Fraser is a director with a sure touch and O’Toole is nothing less than a magician – I can’t think of a better word for the spell he casts in this film.
Fraser makes his living in television these days (including episodes of international shows The Terror, Daredevil, Swamp Thing and The Rookie) and also revealed a few years ago that he is suffering from early onset Parkinson’s Disease. He’s one of our very best.
Also reviewed that week in the Capital Times: Rob Schneider in Big Stan, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and French smash hit Welcome to the Sticks. I introduced it like this:
My favourite post-Oscars quote came from David Thomson in The Guardian: “When the Slumdog mob – Europeans and Indians, adults and kids – took the stage to claim the best picture Oscar, a landmark was being established which directly reflects America’s reduced place in the world.” And as if to illustrate that very point, this week Hollywood have offered us a piteous prison comedy called Big Stan and Zack and Miri Make a Porno. It’s like they aren’t even trying anymore.
*may not actually be holding in your hands.
Where to watch Dean Spanley
Aotearoa: Digital rental from Apple, AroVision or NZ Film On Demand
Australia, Canada, USA: Digital rental
Ireland & UK: Digital rental from Microsoft
India: Not currently available online