Writer, director, and co-star Nat Boltt makes her directorial debut with a little film called “Holy Days”. She chooses wholesome over originality, and that’s okay. A modern-day version of “Simon Birch” only set in New Zealand, “Holy Days” is both a coming-of-age story for newcomer Elijah Tamati, career celebrations of Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, and the incomparable Jacki Weaver. Boltt’s secret ingredient here is the location. Taking viewers on a retro road trip from the North Island, New Zealand, across the ferry to the South Island and back. For “Lord of the Rings” fans, it’s an extra bonus seeing locations in the distance where Peter Jackson made the award-winning trilogy.
Emotionally stunted by the passing of his mother, Brian (Tamati) refuses to accept the hand he’s been dealt, or his kind stepmother Liz (Boltt). Brian intentionally commits daily sins in order to visit his calming place, the local convent where Sisters Agnes (Judy Davis), Luke (Margolyes), and his favorite Mary Clare (Weaver) reside. Not only does he find penance here, but the motherly comfort he is missing in life. When the future of the convent is in danger, developers want to turn it into a resort and put the sisters “out to pasture”. Brian joins a zany road trip where the sisters hijack a car, steal some money, break some laws, all in order to find the deeds to the church and save their home and community.
Never dull, Boltt keeps things moving towards the inevitable feel-good conclusion.
There isn’t an ounce of nuance to be found in “Holy Days”. It’s broad strokes and lots of melodrama within the script and narrative. The formulaic film works mostly because of good intentions and the comedic pitch of the seasoned actors. Never dull, Boltt keeps things moving towards the inevitable feel-good conclusion. “Holy Days” is in good company with similar films “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016) and “Rams” (2020). These Australian / New Zealand life lesson films are entertainment for the entire family and have hearty discussions afterwards.
Based on the book by children’s novelist Dame Joy Cowley, she set the story in the 1970’s, which adds another level of creativity for the film version. The production design works around a small budget and makes great strides with “less is more”. It also means more location shots which need less decoration and authentication. The film stumbles a bit in the third act with near death experiences but rally’s when Oscar-nominated Weaver decides to take control of the journey back home with a lead foot. While conventional and predictable, “Holy Days”, much like the rebellious sisters, have the heart in the right place.
Final Thought
Conventional, cinematic comfort food.