Mr. Pip (2012)

As a war rages on in the province of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, a young girl becomes transfixed by the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations, which is being read at school by the only white man in the village.

Director:

Andrew Adamson

Writers:

Andrew Adamson (screenplay), Lloyd Jones (novel)

Stars:

Hugh Laurie, Xzannjah Matsi, Healesville Joel

6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Laurie	...	Mr. Watts
Xzannjah Matsi	...	Matilda Naimo (as Xzannjah)
Healesville Joel	...	Dolores Naimo
Eka Darville	...	Pip
Kerry Fox	...	Mrs. June Watts
Florence Korokoro	...	Grace
David Kaumara	...	PNG Officer
Kausibona Mel	...	Daniel
Sam Simiha	...	Sam
Marcellin Ampa'oi	...	Joseph Naimo
Dominic Itta	...	Mr. Masoi
Grace Maibu	...	Mrs. Siau
Marcella Itta	...	Mabel
Ivan Siovate	...	Christopher
Cindy Tibola	...	Violet

Storyline

Mr Watts is the only white man left on the island after the blockade. He opens the school and introduces the children the 'Great Expectations.' Matilda, the teenage narrator finds comfort in the story of a Victorian orphan when her own world is falling apart. The Redskins, an army sent to destroy the local rebels are getting closer. Matilda writes 'Pip' in the sand. This simple act leads to terrible consequences when the Redskins suspect Pip to be a rebel leader and demand he be brought before them.

---

Plot Keywords:

bougainville new guinea | reading story to class | reference to charles dickens | teacher | remote village | 

---

Taglines:

When they need hope, he gave them Great Expectations. Fiction can be dangerous in times of war.

---

Genres:

Drama | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing situations involving violence and threat, and for some mature thematic material and brief language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cameron Hartwell made his feature film debut in this film, at just the tender age of 15.

---

Quotes

Dolores Naimo: So he stole his mother's pork pie?
Matilda Naimo: Pip's an orphan. He lives with his sister. Brought him up by hand.
Dolores Naimo: Sounds like she needed to use her hand on him a little more.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.10 (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Kokonibaka
Traditional
Performed by Regina Toparin

User Reviews

Every masterwork can't be understood by everyone.

A novel based movie and partially a true story that set on a Pacific island with the backdrop of the 90s civil war. The film was directed by a New Zealand filmmaker who was known for 'Shrek' and 'Narnia' movie series. One of the best movies of the year 2013 I have seen. Looks like it was not noticed largely, but definitely worth to give a try. Little slow in narration, especially the opening which talks about the inspiration of a masterwork. But the main plot was strong and ends very powerfully with a message about facing reality of life.

This was the story of a teenage girl, Matilda. It begins in a remote island of the Pacific nation Papau New Guinea. As it was raged with civil war, many were already fled the scene and the few who overstayed are living in a tormented life. One of them was a British citizen called Tom Watts, who is married to a local woman. Like every other he refused to leave, but he had another reason that his wife was sick. When schools are closed he's given a charge to teach kids. The children like him and the story he tells. In a short while whole community joins. Now everyone like him, but with a little misunderstanding the scenario changes which brings a twist in the tale. And the story moves to the next level from the perspective of Matilda, who witnessed all these cruelties before it wraps up as her memories of the childhood life.

''We all need a change sometimes to help us on our way.''

A unique movie, including the cast and culture of the community from the where it has taken place. Hugh Laurie was good, but the others were impressed me a lot. Especially the lead girl who came up on the screen as the character Matilda. She was so cute and also performed incredibly awesome. The whole story narrated from her view as what she saw. It commences as a regular drama and showcases the lifestyle of the small community. Very nicely developed each scene, in fact, the story was highly connected to the Charles Dickens novel 'Great Expectations'. Not as a story wise, but as the inspiration. I would say it was a smartly done work by the author who wrote this book (Mister Pip). In the film adaptation as well, everything was showed neatly. Including the diverged plot that occasionally appears with all the beautiful costumes which imitates the Dickens novel. The last quarter of the movie brought an unexpected shock that I was not prepared for. Afterwards it pulls as much it can with the sustainable amount of sentiments till the final credits roll up. It is another excellent movie that is not a must see, but you will come to know its worth if you give a try.

Details

Country:

Papua New Guinea Australia New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 2013 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Mister Pip

Filming Locations:

Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,714, 9 November 2014

Gross USA:

$1,714

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$977,855

Company Credits

Production Co:

Olympus Pictures, Daydream Productions, Eyeworks Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1