The Price Of Milk

Rob and Lucinda are the perfect dairy-farming couple living in rural New Zealand, however, when a mysterious old woman ("Auntie") starts planting seeds of doubt into Lucinda's mind things all take a surreal turn...

The thought of a film where the majority of the extras are on the bovine side may not be instantly inviting but The Price of Milk is a fantastically weird and funny little film. Boasting the sort of edgy, quirky slant usually only maintained in short film, it never compromises it's oddness which is a joy. From the opening titles - which shows the couple fighting over their much-loved quilt - you know this is going to be no ordinary affair.

Using lush photography to capture the rolling New Zealand countryside in which the leads absoluetly revel, Sinclair increases the fantasy element with the introduction of things that just don't quite fit (indian weddings, mad golfers, mysterious night visitors). The stunning visuals are accompanied by a very beautiful soundtrack of appropriately dream-like music. Sadly while the score is lovely it doesn't quite seem to fit the film which operates on a more subtle and unusual level.

As the couple descend beautifully from deliriously happy to plain-old-delirious both leads remain convincing though Danielle Cormack's portrayal of the gradually more flipped Lucinda stands out. Meanwhile "Auntie" is played with enigmatic relish as she commands her little hoard of hulking golf fanatic nephews.

A weird but very funny little film, comparable in its bizarrness to the Being John Malkovich.

The final word must be reserved for the star that almost steals the show completely - Pirate the dog who plays one of cinema's most inspired pets, Nigel.