A New Zealand Gem: Eagle vs. Shark

Eagle vs. Shark
Directed by Taika Cohen
Released June 15, 2007

I cannot believe I did not see this film back in April when there was a free screening in New York. Not until I saw a trailer and realized that the male lead is Jemaine Clement from "Flight of the Conchords" did I have a burning desire to see it. I was not at all disappointed with what I saw. Here is a rare, small film that includes a splendid cast and some fantastic dialogue. The story of two extremely uncool people stuck in dead-end jobs who meet at a party and enter into an entirely awkward and unusual relationship is fresh, bizarre, and highly amusing. Jemaine Clement stars as rude and selfish video store employee Jarrod, and Loren Horsley is recently let-go fast food establishment employee Lily. Both performances are so wonderfully understated, and their facial expressions tell give so much additional information as to their characters. The writing here is awesome, and I highly recommend this comedy to those interested in something a bit out of the ordinary.

B+