Novels that work don't necessarily translate well into good films; so much depends on the scriptwriter and the director. This film lacks the finesse that one could expect from top notch exponents of both, but does have redeeming merits. From a parochial standpoint it makes good use of Wellington locations (where both novel and film are set), both suburban and downtown, including the old main Wellington Hospital building which happened to be demolished about the time the film premiered. The 20-year-old sister seems rather inept at finding herself a solo mother from a fling with Samoan rugby star even if she adores the baby, but her less than happy circumstances pale in comparison with her burglar brother to whom she has unfailing loyalty. Interspersing that with the saga of the other family of whom the mother is one of the burglar brother's more unfortunate victims gets a little messy visually and plotwise at times, and I found myself pondering ways it could have been done better. The acting is patchy: the females are good overall, the males less so. Good that this was made, a pity the result wasn't better.
