Every Friday in New Zealand, newspapers are filled with Garage Sale advertisements, inviting the public to venture into a home in the suburbs and rummage through mounds of used goods.
Many a bargain can be found at a great Kiwi Garage Sale, and the main character of Paul Murphy's touching family comedy, Second Hand Wedding, has her own home full of 'treasures' to prove it.
The Story
Alarm clocks ring at the break of dawn, and Jill and her best friend Muffy are off, hurtling through suburban streets crashing Garage Sales before sellers are even ready to open their front gates.
Jill's school teacher daughter Cheryl, finds her mother's obsession of other people's junk ridiculous, and embarassing, having been teased for wearing 'seconds' at school.
So when her mechanic boyfriend Stew and Cheryl get engaged, she swears her father Brian to secrecy in fear that Jill will turn her special day into a showcase of mismatched sale items - a Second Hand Wedding.
The story continues, with Brian's loyalty to his wife tested by the secret his daughter so desperately wants him to keep. Of course Jill eventually does find out about the engagement and takes the secrecy hard, giving her husband the silent treatment and her daughter the cold shoulder.
When an incident involving a hospital strengthens the family's bond again, Cheryl continues to plan her wedding. This time, with a little help from her mum.
With many minor storylines cradling the main one, including a strange man with his own obsession for Real Estate Signs, and appearances by local celebrity John Rowles, Second Hand Wedding is a sweet slice of New Zealand for all to enjoy.
Most Memorable Quote:
"The problem, yogurt for brains, is she's not wearing the ring." - Charlie (Grant Roa)
The Director
Paul Murphy made his directorial debut with Second Hand Wedding. After over 20 years in the New Zealand filmmaking industry, in various roles including Key Grip working on films like Lord of the Rings and King Kong, Paul jumped into the hot seat and began directing in 2004.
Along with the release of Second Hand Wedding in 2008, Paul has also directed a New Zealand Children's Television series and six episodes of the ever popular Sensing Murder.
Paul Murphy's company Garage Sale Productions has a website, with further information about the movie, the writers and the crew who made it happen.
The Verdict
Second Hand Wedding is Kiwiana at its best and is a lightweight film suitable for the whole family.
With light comedy and touching drama, it is a must-see for New Zealanders, it will also give a great insight into a down-to-earth Kiwi family for those planning to visit or move to New Zealand.
Rating for Second Hand Wedding: 6.5/10.
Layla Robinson - I never graduated high school, got bored with tertiary education and had an unrealistic goal of owning a vineyard in Greece by age 30, ...
