Set in the New Zealand bush, the screenplay (based on Barry Crumps novel) begins on country folk Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and Hec (Neill) taking custody of sweetly rambunctious city kid Ricky from child welfare services; the sixty-somethings are Rickys last hope to avoid life in New Zealands juvenile detention system. Bella welcomes the boy with open arms, finding his quirks endearing (hes inseparable from a hoodie that he frequently zips up over his face) and even giving him a dog. (After coming up with three excellent options for names Psycho, Megatron, and Tupac Rickys love for rap wins out. The dogs name is Tupac.) All the while, Hec remains in the background, quiet and curmudgeonly, hiding a past that might just be strikingly similar to Rickys. Just as the boy and his new Aunt are building a steady rapport, she passes away, leaving the men of the house to founder in her absence. Hec is resigned to belligerent social worker Paula (Rachel House) returning to snatch the boy. And that will be that. Except the profoundly crafty Ricky decides to fake his own death (poorly) and head for the bush, Tupac in tow. Hec reluctantly takes off after him, leading the duo on a months-long journey involving haikus, helicopters, horses, and more haikus. So many haikus.
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