Juniper

Juniper is a film about the unlikely bond between a troubled teenager and his estranged grandmother, set in rural New Zealand in the 1990s. The film is driven by the superb performance of Charlotte Rampling as Ruth, a former war photographer who has become an alcoholic recluse with a sharp tongue and a dark past. George Ferrier plays Sam, her grandson who is sent to live with her after being suspended from school for self-harm. The two clash at first, but gradually find solace and healing in each other's company.

The film is not without flaws. The plot relies on some contrived devices and coincidences, and some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped. The tone shifts between comedy and tragedy, sometimes awkwardly. However, the film also has moments of beauty and poignancy, especially when it explores Ruth's backstory and Sam's inner turmoil. The cinematography captures the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, creating a contrast between nature and human suffering.

Juniper is both a coming-of-age film and an end-of-the-line film. It shows how life can be cruel and unpredictable, but also worth living. It may not be a masterpiece, but it is worth watching for Rampling's captivating presence.

My Review- Juniper My Rating. 7.5 /10

I found Juniper a very moving film but a little emotionally triggering by that I mean basically it "pressed my buttons." in parts.

I must admit I dozed off a little first viewing not because I was bored but just tiredness so I watched it again and I'm glad I did.

This interesting 2021 movie from New Zealand written and directed by Matthew J Saville is what I call a slow burner but by the conclusion I had definitely warmed to it .

The subjects that crop up in Juniper are confronting they include family alcoholism, grief, assisted dying, teenage suicide and parent child communication breakdown .

It's certainly not a musical comedy ,although come to think of it I have seen all those subjects portrayed in the modern musical theatre of today.

Sam ( George Ferrier) the teenage son of Robert (Martin Csokas ) on returning home from boarding school after a self-destructive spree prompted by his mothers death discovers his gin-soaked grandmother Ruth has moved in.

Ruth played by the wonderful actress (Charlotte Rampling) once had a lust for life . A former War photographer now old age , excessive alcohol abuse and her disappointment with life has turned her into a very bitter woman in a wheelchair approaching the finality of her life.

Sam is really a chip off his Grandmother's block and after an initial awkward and violent introduction a battle of wills ensues which eventually thaws out both of these strong and determined individuals resulting eventually in acceptance and reconciliation for all the family members including Sam's absentee Dad Robert played by Marton Csokas.

The two standout performances in Juniper are George Ferrier as Sam and of course Charlotte Rampling as Ruth and this film is worth watching just for them.

Charlotte Rampling said she found the semi autobiographical script by Matthew Saville "just very very compelling." Her first husband was a Kiwi and although not particularly wanting to leave her home in Saint-Germain Paris to travel across the world to New Zealand she said the story " came to her across the page" George Ferrier as Sam I think will be an interesting actor to watch I haven't seen the series "One of us is Lying "that he appears in 4 episodes of but I will look it up after seeing his passionate and sensitive performance as Sam in Juniper this 21 year old actor should receive plenty of role offers after Juniper.

Juniper is a quiet slow burner of a movie I recommend it for movie lovers who enjoy complex characters and films that aren't afraid to deal with sensitive subjects and a great Directorial debut feature film for Matthew Saville.

A lonely young man struggling with his mother's death is confronted by the visit of his acerbic alcoholic grandmother.

I found this very moving. With very real characters whose lives you can feel right into and performances to match, with George Ferrier looking very good beside veterans Charlotte Rampling and Martin Csokas. I empathised strongly with the protagonist's situation: his grief, his inability to communicate it, his feelings of isolation and hopelessness, and also how the slightest hint of positive attention from someone new, unlike anyone else in your world, can change your whole perspective. A character study with vulnerable honesty and an underplayed depth of feeling.

A little gem with a good script and good acting. The star is the great Charlotte Rampling as Ruth the grandmother and young actor George Ferrier is the grandson Sam. Ruth and Sam have some funny interactions and dramatic ones too.

It's the story of an unresolved emotional loss by a father (Robert) and son (Sam) and then the father's mother (Ruth) shows up. Ruth is an alcoholic addicted to gin, which I think gives the movie it's title, juniper berries are the main flavoring in gin.

There have probably been movies with similar plots, but this one set In New Zealand is well acted. A real treat to see Charlotte Rampling in a movie.

We've seen this dynamic many times over the years and while the setup is familiar, it's all about how a director handles the material and he does so with grace and charm.

Charlotte Rampling commands the stage as a grandmother who comes home to heal from a leg injury. A drinker and distant from her son Robert who promptly leaves to settle affairs in the UK. She's brutally honest and let's people know she will not be pushed around. But you learn about her slowly over the course of the film and why she is in her ways atm.

She immediately clashes with her angry grandson who was just suspended from school and is cooped up at home with a grandmother he's not met until now. George Ferrier equally matches her fiery performance as the angry youth. Depressed and suicidal, he is Unable to deal with his mothers death, until he receives some well deserved tough love from grandmother. The events play out in a laid back fashion and done with I feel a sense of realism. The topics presented like grief, aging, coming of age feel natural here and there's no stupid comedy section presented for laughs. I could see this going the opposite way if this were an American production for sure with heavy handed speeches and cliched ending.

All around a wholesome film made with heart, a fine watch.