Daffodils

AroView: Ambitious screen musical based on the stageplay of same name that threads a bittersweet romantic narrative over several decades through a setlist of beloved New Zealand pop songs (by the likes of Crowded House, Bic Runga and Dave Dobbyn), reinterpreted by the cast and the music of “Lips”. The conceit works better for some songs than others, both in execution and in serving the story, while the feelgood formula takes a surprisingly sombre turn mid way.

Synopsis: Leaving her dying father’s bedside, singer Maisie rushes to perform at an indie music gig in town. But as she sings the opening song, it’s hard for her to ignore the heartfelt story she’s just been told – the story of how her dad met and fell in love with her mother, and how it all devastatingly fell apart. As the night goes on, we see the love story of Eric and Rose through Maisie’s eyes. From the time they meet in Hamilton in 1966 to their separation in the 1980s, we follow the bittersweet nuances of a couple’s life.