The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell: DVD Review

The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell: DVD Review

The Hopes and dreams of Gazza Snell
Rating: M
Released by Vendetta Films

Set in East Auckland's Howick, The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is the story of William McInnes' manchild Gazza Snell, whose world is falling apart with a failing business.

All he's obsessed with is getting his eldest son to Milan for a karting championship in Milan.

However, when his youngest is seriously injured in a crash, Gazza loses all touch with the horrifying reality of what lies ahead - and instead becomes insistent on focussing solely on the karting.

That causes the family rift to widen.

The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell is a feelgood Kiwi battler kind of treat- despite the initial beginnings there's plenty of warmth in this tale of a suburban dad; thanks to good solid performances from McInnes and Robyn Malcolm as his desperate housewife, it succeeds - even with its sentimental ending.

It's thanks to the everyman feel of the film that it becomes a winner - the universal tale of Gazza needing to grow up is clearly based on a degree of reality.

There's also a lot of honesty on display in this film - in the performances, the writing and the direction - it's an unashamedly crowd pleasing film which is easily identifiable to many of us.

Extras: Trailer, Video, bloopers, deleted scenes, interviews and commentary

Rating: 8/10