The stunning New Zealand landscape has doubled for many foreign and fantastical lands in its time. Japan, Middle Earth… even Jellystone Park. But could first-time local director Mike Wallis, and his self-funded independent film Good for Nothing, transport us to the Wild West in true Spaghetti Western style? You’re darn tootin’!

English Rose Isabella Montgomery (Inge Rademeyer) is traveling to her uncle’s farm in the deepest wildest west when she’s abducted by an outlaw known only as “The Man” (Cohen Holloway). The Man likes what he sees and it’s not long before he tries to force himself upon her. Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for her, he unexpectedly suffers performance issues. “My dick’s broke” he proclaims to a local doctor, with his first words of the film.

In his search for a cure, and with Isabella still his captive, The Man has a run in with the law (it wouldn’t be a Western without one!) resulting in a bounty being placed on the pair. With the dead lawman’s brother (who also happens to be the sheriff) and his posse of hired guns in hot pursuit, The Man & Isabella must somehow try to get along if either of them is to survive.

Good for Nothing is everything you could want from a Spaghetti Western – or, as it was dubbed, a ‘Pavlova Western’. The film contains larger-than-life characters, gun-slinging action, breathtaking scenery, a stirring soundtrack and more than a dash of perfectly timed humour.  The story’s not particularly deep or detailed, but what it lacks in script the film more than makes up for in entertainment.

Holloway’s The Man is sensational and he delivers a brilliant performance without ever having much to say. With a glance here, a scowl there and the occasional furrowed brow, Holloway displays an incredible range of emotion (while never undermining his character’s outlaw roots). After a slightly shaky start, Rademeyer too proves herself worthy as his plucky love interest, and unwitting tormentor; with the often wordless interplay between the pair making you follow their unusual relationship with interest.

The action doesn’t come thick and fast, but when it does come the tension is palpable and you feel every gunshot. The sound design and John Psathas/NZSO soundtrack is brilliant. Right from scene one you’re immersed in Wallis’ incarnation of the Old West. Throw in some stunning cinematography and at times I found it hard to believe this was actually a low budget independent film.

The film does ride a fine line between homage and parody, with some claiming this makes it unbalanced. I saw this more as a refreshing Kiwi take on the genre. Good for Nothing was thoroughly entertaining and I left the cinema with a wide smile on my face. What more could one ask for?

Florian Habicht gave us the sensational Love Story in 2011. Now Mike Wallis has brought us the superb Good for Nothing in 2012. New Zealand independent cinema has never looked healthier and I can’t wait to see what’s to come from this new breed of Kiwi filmmakers.

8/10

GOOD FOR NOTHING

New Zealand / 2012 / 92 minutes

Cast: Cohen Holloway, Inge Rademeyer, Jon Pheloung, Richard Thompson, Toa Waaka

Director: Mike Wallis

Screenplay: Mike Wallis

Cinematography: Mathew Knight