For the legions of film geeks who count themselves as Napoleon Dynamite fans – this summer you’ll end up finding a new favorite. That was the case after my screening at Sundance this year with a quirky little number from New Zealand called Eagle vs. Shark.
Sappy and charming – writer-director Taika Waititi tells the story of Lily – who is one of those weird, sweet-natured girls with stringy hair who is quite lovely and charismatic under a surface of shy awkwardness. But most people don’t have enough vision to notice, and the truth is that Lily isn’t looking to change. She cashiers at a fast-food joint and pines for Jarrod, the self-aggrandizing, clueless geek from the computer store across the way. Fiercely optimistic, Lily crashes Jarrod’s animal/video-game extravaganza, impressing him enough with her shark suit and gaming prowess to score a hookup with Eagle Lord (Jarrod) himself. Soon Lily and her brother are driving Jarrod back to his hometown to confront his childhood nemesis. But here Jarrod’s self-absorption blossoms so mightily that it may drive even the most adoring of girlfriends away. As Jarrod prepares to exact his revenge on the past, Lily’s quiet power gathers force as well.
Miramax Films has provided us with the final poster one sheet. Comes out in theatres June 1st.
