By Naomi Larkin
I'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY **
Cast: Jodie Rimmer, Michael Hurst, Rena Owen, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Lucy Lawless, Raybon Kan, Carl Bland, Ian Hughes
Director: Athina Tsoulis
Rating: R16
There is a lot to make you happy about New Zealand's own I'll Make You Happy.
Set around Auckland's Karangahape Rd and Fort Sts, it successfully
captures the image of a busy red-light district which could be anywhere in the world.
Siggy (Rimmer) is a prostitute with big plans, the main one being to get her agoraphobic flatmate Lester (Bland) to Tibet. But in order to work, her scheme needs lots of money.
So she calls in her colourful gang of fellow street-workers to help hijack her sleazy pimp Lou's (Hurst) money-making scam.
The adventure brings out the best in everyone, especially Siggy and Lester who - after an emotional surprise twist - reach a new understanding and discover a future.
I'll Make You Happy is refreshingly devoid of any judgment surrounding prostitution or why people become involved. Rimmer is appropriately cheeky as Siggy, Hurst makes the most of his over-the-top role and Bland lends some authenticity to his unbelievable character.
But I'll Make You Happy's biggest disappointments come from its inconsistency and weak storyline. There are moments of real humour and warmth but overall it fails to gel. Despite the heavyweight cast, some of the performances are clumsy, and the characters are not credible.
As a clearly successful pimp, Lou would not allow himself to be so bullied and belittled by Siggy or his other "employees." Does a super-nerd like Drew (Hughes) exist and if so is he likely to fall in love - at first sight - with a dominatrix?
Some of the best lines relate to insider jokes such as Lawless and Hurst (both stars of the television blockbusters Xena Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) meeting over a parking meter in K Rd and Lawless' character asking, "Haven't we met somewhere before?"
Or Ward-Lealand as prostitute Mel telling Hurst (her husband in real life) "I told you to keep your hands to yourself."
One of the best things about I'll Make You Happy is its well-compiled soundtrack - including HDU, Baitercell, HLAH, Fiona McDonald and The Peter Stuyvesant Hit List - which captures the film's fast-paced style.
