Fracture

We wish dear little Jamal a life of peace and prosperity .. you were a real pro, kid.

– A closing credits tribute to Fracture's youngest cast member

Part thriller, part social-realist tale, the most engaging thing about Fracture is watching how the intricate tale unfolds ... a fine, well-delivered yarn.

– Reviewer Kiran Dass in The Sunday Star-Times, 5 September 2004

Do you always have to get at me?

– Howart Peet (John Noble) to his ex wife Gwen (Liddy Holloway)

A study of family dynamics, Fracture is gritty and unadorned, but sympathetic and sometimes funny in its portrayal of the hardships and disappointments in life. It manages also to pay homage to the power of determination and hope — especially through the character of Leeanne who manages to keep it together while the lives of the people around her unravel.

– Stuff writer Nicki Harper in a three and a half star review, 2 April 2004

Skilful, balanced and intelligent.

– Author Maurice Gee describes Larry Parr's adaptation of his novel, The Dominion Post, 29 March 2004

Crime against family comes in many forms, both from within and without the family. I'm attracted to the notion that every family has its own crime story.

– Writer/director Larry Parr

If it was 10 or 15 years ago I would have been terrified. But I'm older now and I have confidence in the film. I expect a mixture of first night nerves, relief and pride.

– Writer/director Larry Parr in the lead up to the film's world premiere in Wellington, Capital Times, 31 March 2004, page 10

...a competent, confident, and complex drama worthy of a place in New Zealand's cache of cinema of unease. Touching on themes of religion, fate, domestic violence, politics and sex, the movie makes full use of Wellington to portray shattered lives. The acting is uniformly good with standout performances from [Kate] Elliott and an almost unrecognisable [Jennifer] Ward-Lealand.

– Reviewer James Croot in The Press, 11 September 2004

Brent I'm your sister — your business is my business.

– Leeanne (Kate Elliott) to Brent (Jared Turner)

What's she done that's so wrong?

– Clyde (Tim Lee) confronts his wife Irene (Miranda Harcourt) on why she has given her daughter the cold shoulder

I thought you were the man who broke all the rules.

– Ulla (Jennifer Ward-Lealand) tries to persuade Howard (John Noble) to give her some whisky, from her hospital bed