The Justice of Bunny King (2021) User Reviews

Soul Destroying Cinema...

[Xstal · 8/10 · 5 December 2022]

The cards and dice have fallen the wrong way, the fine lines have been drawn, and now you're left astray, in a world that doesn't care, you're driven further to despair, but in a fight for what is right, you'll have your say. Alas the powers in control have put up walls, and they are deaf to all your pleadings and your calls, there's a process to be followed, they must make sure that you're hollowed, and even then there's further steps that you must crawl. But your passion and your instinct keep you spurred, to do what's right, you will no longer be deterred, you may have hit the rocks, but you're pulling up your socks, and fighting to be seen, and to be heard.

Essie Davis is outstanding as the mother who's done nothing wrong but is punished to extremes for trying to recover the kids she loves and seeks to protect.

Not the happiest movie but brilliant!

[ewen-230-836133 · 8/10 · 2 August 2021]

A great tale of someone trying to get back into society, who seams to get knocked back at every turn. Essie Davis is brilliant as a woman who has had a tough life but remained strong and fighting adversity, even-though she makes a few mistakes along the way. Thomasin Mckenzie also excellent. Well written, played and shot, another Kiwi gem!

desperation and diligence

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 22 September 2022]

Greetings again from the darkness. Most of us are quick to judge others. Often too quick. This superb (and bleak) feature film debut from writer-director Gaysorn Thavat reminds us that our initial judgments might just be an easy "out" for us so that we may go on about our way, oblivious to the struggles of others. There is observational commentary here on what it means for a parent to love their kids so deeply, for someone to believe in themselves whole-heartedly, and for the pain an institution can cause under the guise of doing the right thing.

Essie Davis (THE BABADOOK, 2014) delivers a ferocious and authentic performance as Bunny, who is much stronger than we might originally think. Is she more determined or desperate? We aren't sure. She's also very clever at times, though sometimes unable to control her emotions. Bunny's focus is on securing housing so that Social Services will permit her kids to live with her. Currently, she's only allowed supervised visits, and we see loves them intensely. Shannon (Amelia Baynes) is a disabled 5-year-old who loves her back, while Reuben (Angus Stevens) is an angry and frustrated 14-year old who just wants a 'normal' life that doesn't involve foster homes.

Bunny is perpetual motion. She describes herself as self-employed, spending days as a "Squeegee Bandit" cleaning windshields at stoplights for loose change. She's saving that change in a soda bottle that she keeps in the linen closet of her sister's house. It's here where she cleans house, cooks dinner, does laundry, and watches kids all for the benefit of getting to sleep on the couch. Her sister Grace (Toni Potter) is a late shift nurse whose husband Bevan (Errol Shand) is a d-bag in so many ways. In fact, Bevan is at the center of an incident with Bunny's niece Tonyah (Thomasin McKenzie, JOJO RABBIT, 2019; LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, 2021) that cuts right to the heart of Bunny's character. We see how she reacts and begin to understand how she arrived at this particular lot in life.

Thavat's co-writers Sophie Henderson (BABY DONE, 2020) and Gregory King center much of Bunny's actions around the birthday party she has promised daughter Shannon for her upcoming birthday party. Is Bunny fit to be a mother? Most of the time we think she is devoting every waking moment to reuniting with her kids. However, in her worst moments, she lashes out and displays poor judgment, leaving us and Social Services with serious doubt. The past is brilliantly unfolded and never dwelled on because Bunny wakes up every morning optimistic about what lays ahead. There is a terrific sequence involving her attire, and Ms. Davis just nails the shift in tone. Hers is an award-worthy performance, if only enough people will see the film (which is doubtful). This New Zealand production expertly sets the stage with 4 Non Blondes "What's Up" and then bookends with a different version by Willa Amai.

Opens in theaters on September 23, 2022.

A really enjoyable piece of filmmaking

[acarlsson349 · 18 November 2021]

I've been using IMDB for over a decade, and have been loving films for the last twenty years. Despite that, I've never left a review up until now. I went into this film knowing nothing, but finished watching it with a sense of sadness and an overwhelming feeling of empathy towards any parent who's ever been in a seemingly hopeless fight for their children. This film was absolutely fantastic in every regard. The cinematography was superb, the acting was top class, and the storyline had suitable twists in all the right places. I really wanted to leave a review because I feel all those involved earned it - 221 reviews doesn't do this film justice at all. If you enjoy social issues, the peculiar and untimely dilemmas of life, and aren't afraid to watch something raw and honest, give this a go. I'm glad I did, thank you to you all for making it so great.

A fight vs. bureaucracy and society

[tilljonas · 7/10 · 4 February 2022]

The protagonist "Bunny" has to find back to her place in the world, but since the society wont make it easy for an homeless women and institutions, who are used to help her, are failing her in any way, she's forced to find her own way by breaking a few laws.

The idea is simple, an homeless woman is trapped in a circle of poverty: in order to see her kids she has to get a home, in order to get a home she has to get work, also she has to look like "i'm-not-homess" in order to get a home or work. So it's difficult to get to her children, but she is trying anyway.

In addition to that, her niece "Tonya" experience the horror, and Bunny confronts her sister with it, but she doesn't believe her. So Bunnys mission throughout the movie is rescuing Tonya and celebrating her daughters birthday, while nobody will listen to her. To achieve that, she makes uncomfortable decisions like lying, exploiting or destroying.

The movie contains just a few characters, so Essie Davis ("Bunny") and Thomasin McKenzie ("Tonya") had to deliver and they did. I would recomment this movie to everyone who likes emotional dramas.

For me it's a good movie, I will watch it a second time some day.

tough life

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 12 March 2023]

In New Zealand, Bunny King (Essie Davis) is a struggling single mother living in poverty. Her two kids are stuck in foster care. She needs to find a home before she has a chance to get them back. She lives with her sister's family until she finds her niece Tonyah (Thomasin McKenzie) being abused by her stepdad.

Rooting for Bunny can be tough with her self-destructive nature. I like her character, but her manic personality can be a bit much sometimes. She would be a lot easier to root for if she doesn't keep getting into her own way. I do like her with Tonyah, but more can be done with that story. The very last scene is a bit problematic. It's a continuation of Bunny's chaotic ways. I'd rather she deal with her problem head on.

Mothers love

[zara-jane-qadry · 10/10 · 6 November 2021]

Beautiful story about a mother's love and poverty. I enjoyed this movie and how it reflects reality of life. Amazing acting by the leading lady and her neice.

Senseless and boring

[jos-dsouza · 1/10 · 6 November 2021]

There can be no sympathy for anyone who breaks the law. This is exactly what's here in the movie. The so called loving and caring mother cannot provide for them and is a law breaker right till the end. Don't ask why she did it. The fact that she did it means that she is not fit to care for the kids. No sympathy.

Boring movie and absolutely pathetic stuff.

Stunning and Heart-Breaking

[sweetdiega · 10/10 · 5 December 2022]

Incredible New Zealand movie. Super proud. And after first-hand experience of dealing with Child Safety in Australia - cuts close to the bone. When my sister had supervised visitation with her daughter at Christmas time, Child Safety promised they would give her gifts to give to her daughter - then the Child Safety Officer gave the gifts to my niece in her car - and told her they were from Child Safety! Just a small example of how callous they can be. Exquisite acting. Beautiful soundtrack. Essie Davis is mesmerising and Thomison McKenzie is brilliant. P. S. I don't think jos-dsouza got enough hugs.

Stunnin

[HeroDT12 · 10/10 · 13 December 2021]

At first I watched this movie just to watch Thomasin McKenzie, and yes it turns out that this film has a good and impressive storyline about the struggle of a mother and unconditional love even for her niece. Good acting from all actors, you should try to watch this movie.

Such a provocative, powerful and beautiful film.

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 9/10 · 24 May 2023]

This little gem was co-written and is the first full-length feature film directorial debut for New Zealand filmmaker Gaysorn Thavat, and she gave us an exceptional piece of filmmaking. This film reminds me a lot of To Leslie starring Andrea Riseborough, as it highlights real-world socioeconomic issues that tug at your heart-strings. It has many depths and layers of emotional intelligence, with exceptional character study on the undeterred spirit of a mother held back by societies systems. It is told with conviction and anger, with some great occasional moments of dark comedy. But great directing and storytelling needs an equally great performance, and Essie Davis as Bunny brought that authenticity needed to elevate the filmmaking to the top shelf. For that matter, all casting and performances deserve praise, as does the cinematography and score. It's a definite must-see and well deserved 9/10 from me.

One of the saddest movies ever

[TheDome81 · 8/10 · 26 October 2022]

Wow! I just finished watching "The Justice of Bunny King" and I have to admit, I'm emotionally drained. What a powerful piece of filmmaking. The acting is absolutely superb. And the story kept me hooked right until the end. It's all about the desperate situation a mother gets into when her children are taken from her. She's basically living on the streets, earning money by washing windshields at busy intersections.

And the state seems to have almost no compassion for her situation. In fact, when a friend invites her to stay with his family, who happen to be Maori, you notice immediately that they have far more compassion than the government does. They immediately welcome her as part of their family.

Bunny desperately tries to be reunited with her two children. However, it's a struggle that seems to be insurmountable. What a moving and emotional story. If you're looking for something different to watch, I highly recommend watching this remarkable film.

a rough existence in New Zealand

[lee_eisenberg · 9/10 · 11 September 2023]

We tend to think of New Zealand as a pristine, egalitarian country. As shown in "The Justice of Bunny King", this is not always the case. The protagonist is a woman who's spent time in jail for defending herself after her husband attacked her, and now isn't allowed to see her children. With one bad thing after another befalling her, she resorts to desperate measures.

In response to the previous reviewer who complained about Bunny's abrasive personality, just what do you think that you'd be like in her state? A movie doesn't have to make everyone "likable", especially when someone goes through what Bunny does. Spending your life in poverty and not being allowed to see your offspring would turn anyone nasty.

Anyway, a fine movie. Essie Davis played the mom in "The Babadook" and Thomasin McKenzie played the girl hiding in the apartment in "Jojo Rabbit".

Another New Zealand made gem.

[inspirelake · 9/10 · 11 January 2024]

Not a very comfortable story but a very common one. When everything is wrong in a person's life there seems to be a cycle of continuance... no getting out, people who judge wrongly and finally, the 'I told you so's' when that person's back is pushed against the wall.

Bunny King and 'justice'... hmmm... a system that doesn't really look deeply into human stories but likes to get a job done and a lot of people suffering from the disease of standing on their moral high ground just 'doing their job'.

Bunny King is a mother. And she truly adores her children and wants the world for them. A woman who appears to have gone into the justice system for doing what a proper mother does - protecting her child from damaging violence, only to become the outcast by doing so.

Once the spiral of 'no job, no home, no proper income' sets in, the system makes darn sure you stay there. Sadly, behind her incredible bravery and optimism, Bunny pushes on but begins to make major errors, as most people would when desperation sets in, and she begins to get in her own way, sabotaging what works and hoping to believe in those who are weak and pushing her boundaries with those who are kind.

New Zealand film makers are quite exceptional. I have only seen one pretty ordinary NZ film and the rest were exceptional, whether comedy or drama. They seem to know how to subtly expose the guts of a human life without shoving anything in your face and therefore giving you a real story to follow and to see unwind, and the opportunity to identify with human situations realistically. An uncomfortable but highly watchable gem.