Asher Emanuel, Colin Moy, Emily Barclay

Paul, a prize-winning war journalist, returns to his remote New Zealand hometown due to the death of his father, battle-scarred and world-weary. For the discontented sixteen-year-old Celia he opens up...( read more  read more... ) a world she has only dreamed of. She actively pursues a friendship with him, fascinated by his cynicism and experience of the world beyond her small-town existence. But many, including the members of both their families, frown upon the friendship and when Celia goes missing, Paul becomes the increasingly loathed and persecuted prime suspect in her disappearance. As the violent and urgent truth gradually emerges, Paul is forced to confront the family tragedy and betrayal that he ran from as a youth, and to face the grievous consequences of silence and secrecy that has surrounded his entire adult life.

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91% liked it

3,806 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

8 critics

R, 2 hrs. 6 min.

Directed by: Brad McGann

Release Date: June 10, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (277)


  • December 31, 2007
    After lots of enthusiastic recomendations from some 'aussie mates' of mine and months trying to get it, I finally saw In My Father's Den. And let me tell you that it was so worth the wait! Turns out all of the reviews I read (and the 8.0 rating on IMDb) was right. This is ...( read more)a great piece of Cinema!

    With an extremely clever scipt, well adapted (even though I haven't read Maurice Gee's novel), the film is this half drama, half thriller, very well paced and delivered, never becoming too long, even though it crosses the 2 hour barrier. Visually stunning, as New Zealand itself, with those breathtaking landscapes, that Peter Jackson (as a 'local') knew were the only ones capable of turning The Lord of the Rings trilogy into one of the greatest achievements in Cinema history. In My Father's Den manages aswell to capture the essence of New Zealand, the quietude that almost allows you to hear your own thoughts, the loneliness that only who was born on an island can understand.

    The story isn't original. This is not exacly the first melodrama filled with long hidden family secrets, nor the first 'small town guy returns home' flick. But I can garantee it's one of the best you'll ever see! Brad McGann gets us hooked from the very first scene, and keeps it that way 'till the very last one. A thriller at some of the time, that gradually develops and unveils, through some unexpected twists, the secrets and tragedies that were hidden, from the main character Paul and of course, us. The acting is utterly superb, specially Matthew Macfadyen and Emily Barclay. Both so amazing and incredibly heart-wrenching. The link between the two couldn't possibly be more genuine, like they're not acting at all.

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    I started mentioning those who recomended me this film. To them, a big Thank You! :) And I can only do the same, please do yourself a favor and watch this amazing film!
  • August 22, 2009
    Image and video hosting by TinyPicfor sexual content, language, some violence and drug use.

    I found this movie very emotional and sensitive.The performances from the ...( read more)entire cast were amazing, the lead characters, all unknown for me, Emily Barclay (as Celia) and Mathew MacFadyen (as Paul Prior) I found the scenes tbetween them was so pleasant to watch. The remarkable of this movie was the creation of the characters which was totally believable of real live. Strange ending although. Very good. Love it.
  • June 5, 2009
    An eerie silence seeps through this film and sinks into your bones. Breathtaking. Really.
  • January 24, 2009
    A real good and exiting mocie, and this is prob the sadest one I ever seen, defenitly worth seeing...
  • November 27, 2008
    i saw this by chance on tv last night, it is based loosely on the 1972 novel by kiwi maurice gee. it had special resonance for me as i also returned to nz after 17 years with an english accent. it was interesting, but a bit contrived. plus i dont think patti smyth would have been...( read more) on the radar of a character younger than me in smalltown nz (adam ant is my era.) not bad for a first effort but sadly it was to be the directors last: brad mcgann died of bowel cancer in may 2007.
  • November 15, 2008
    Un drama intrigante y que llega al espectador. Cuenta con excelentes actuaciones, especialmente por parte de Emily Barclay.
  • September 1, 2008
    Um Refúgio No Passado

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