Eagle vs Shark (2007)

Eagle vs Shark is the tale of two socially awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love; through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games.

Director:

Taika Waititi

Writers:

Loren Taylor (story), Taika Waititi (story),

Stars:

Loren Taylor, Jemaine Clement, Joel Tobeck

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Loren Taylor	...	Lily (as Loren Horsley)
Jemaine Clement	...	Jarrod
Joel Tobeck	...	Damon
Brian Sergent	...	Jonah
Craig Hall	...	Doug Davis
Rachel House	...	Nancy
Morag Hills	...	Vinny
Bernard Stewart	...	Zane
Taika Waititi	...	Gordon
David Fane	...	Eric Elisi
Cohen Holloway	...	Mason
Gentiane Lupi	...	Tracy
Chelsie Preston Crayford	...	Jenny
Adam Gardiner	...	Tony
Jackie van Beek	...	Burger Staff

Storyline

In Wellington, Lily is a wallflower, inexplicably attracted to Jerrod, a loser. He's nursing a decade-long grudge against someone who teased him in high school; she's just out of a job. She goes home with him to a seacoast town where he intends to have it out with his nemesis; she meets his father, his daughter from a one-night stand, and other family members - and there's the memory of his talented (and dead) brother. Jerrod treats Lily badly, invents a relationship with a women he had a crush on years before, and gears up for his fight. Will she finally have enough and go home?

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Plot Keywords:

shark | dead brother | love | revenge | bully | 

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Taglines:

There's someone for everyone...apparently

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality, and brief animated violence

Details

Official Sites:

NZonScreen listing Official DVD site

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 August 2007 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Aetos enantion karharia

Filming Locations:

Cuba Mall, Wellington, New Zealand

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£47,845 (UK) (17 August 2007)

Gross:

£47,845 (UK) (17 August 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Zealand Film Commission, Unison Films, Whenua Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script was workshopped at the exclusive Sundance Director's and Screenwriter's Labs.

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Goofs

Approximately 45 minutes into the film as Jarrod asks Lily, Mason, and his daughter, "What's good to buy for girls?" you can see the reflection of film crew in his glasses.

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Quotes

Jarrod: Bitch!
Nancy: Cock hole!
Jarrod: Bitch!
Nancy: Cock hole!
Jarrod: Don't call me cock hole, bitch!

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Connections

References Crimewatch UK (1984)

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Soundtracks

"80's Celebration"
Performed by The Reduction Agents

User Reviews

Great offbeat film

Sundance Film Festival Grand Prize nominated film Eagle Vs Shark is a romantic comedy with a twist from New Zealand director Taika Cohen. The film tells the story of two socially awkward misfits; Jarrod(Jemaine Clement), a depressed video game store clerk and Lily(Loren Horsley), a quiet fast food waitress as they fall in love and go to Jarrod's home town where he is planning to get revenge on a high school bully. It is hard not to compare Eagle Vs Shark to US indie hit Napoleon Dynamite as both films' main characters have some similar mannerisms and much of the humour is created from that, however this film has a lot more going for it than the indie success story from Idaho. The character of Jarrod is very well acted and generates a lot of big laughs, but it is the excellent performance from Loren Horsley as Lily that truly makes the film. The audience really cares for her and she is what takes a good comedy film and makes it a great film regardless of genre. Eagle Vs Shark is a very funny, well acted and excellently written film and I would urge anybody to see it if they have the chance.