The Breaker Upperers (2018) User Reviews

No filter friendship

[theirishfox · 7/10 · 16 February 2019]

I admit, I'm surprised it was a movie. I thought I had clicked on a TV series and was going to enjoy new break up scenarios every episode. So for me it was over too quickly and wrapped up too easily. But regardless, I had fun. I laughed, I cringed, I was entertained.

Funny, honest, Pacific chick-flick

[IceBlue2014 · 7/10 · 28 July 2018]

This is a beautifully made, very funny film about two women working out their sex and romantic lives in modern, multicultural Auckland. What I really like about it there is nothing mean-spirited in this film, it's very Kiwi, and the women are honest and hilarious - nothing vulgar about it. It's not an instant classic in the vein of Boy or Hunt for the Wilderpeople, but I think it will grow on me.

definitely a laughing out loud situation

[The_Mich_ · 6/10 · 17 February 2019]

Just a great funny, uplifting and easy movie. it doesnt ask you for much, it lets you relax and have a good time. Dark and corky comedy at its best. Good acting, lovable characters. All the characters could have turned out to be played out so stupid or caricaturesque, but the actors do a great job. Its certainly a 'lifter upperer'

Laughed out loud watching alone

[DroogEditor · 16 November 2018]

This has not happened in a long time: I thought this was so funny, I laughed out loud several times. Even skipped back to rewatch perfect comedic timing.

Cast was incredible! All parts, especially the posse.

Well done!

The negative reviewers watched a different movie. Obviously.

Entertaining... with a sometimes uncomfortable/awkward edge

[feardeathbywater · 7/10 · 13 August 2018]

I honestly find it difficult to understand why this film has so many one star reviews! I enjoyed the silly and sometimes very uncomfortable humour, and thought there was a real warmth to the film. I'm hoping to see more from the two female leads in future.

Cute and quirky - not a masterpiece though

[AristarchosTheArchivist · 7/10 · 17 February 2019]

I really enjoyed this kiwi movie, mostly for the really cute and quirky humour.

The movie does have a problem with pacing and setting up the different characters, and some of the scenes are just not really believable even in the quirky context (police station strip scene - watch it and you will know... although... I'm not a kiwi, maybe it is believable...).

But anyway, if you are looking for something nice and different to fill some boredom, this is a good choice. I certainly didn't regret watching it.

Messy Plot

[amandagostomski · 4/10 · 18 June 2018]

This film had an interesting concept, and it had a lot going for it, but it just turned out a pretty mediocre film. I think I chuckled once, but most of the time I was just waiting for the movie to get better. It movie mostly relied on vulgar and silly humor to make the audience laugh. The plot was all over the place, and it was poorly written. Not a movie to go spend your night watching.

This is the point where I make a pun about not dumping this movie or something.

[GiraffeDoor · 7/10 · 28 January 2022]

Beginning during the peak of their career as the Breaker-Upperers, this too-real-to-be-real comedy wastes no time.

First it's just episodes of them doing their thing which is distracting enough and it got pretty tense as they actually went to the police station, but they pulled off the concept admirably.

Carried a long way by charismatic characters that have learnt to be content with making the best of a bad life, gradually the plot develops into one of them just wanting more.

It's never too aggressive.

Unwatchable

[amandamp_3 · 2/10 · 12 August 2018]

As a huge fan of What We Do in the Shadows, Girl-Buddy movies and NZ comedy in general I thought I'd love this film. However, I did not. I only lasted 35 minutes, the comedy relied on lazy shock factor jokes rather than well-crafted wit. Lazy, unfunny, just awful.

Chick-flick done right

[OrdinaryDave · 7/10 · 22 February 2019]

A fun movie. On point humor, and characters. nothing drags too long, nothing too short.

right amount of fun.

try it out, have fun.

Only just managed to not walk out.

[jenbie · 1/10 · 19 May 2018]

This film managed to surprise me by just how puerile it was. But I was expecting to laugh at some point - well I didn't laugh, not once. This film was just...immature - perhaps designed to appeal to 13 year olds? As a NZer I am actually embarrassed that this could be seen as our 'sense of humour' and I certainly hope it didn't get funding but I'm sure it probably did. The first film I've actually wanted to walk out on for years. The only reason i didn't was I thought it might get better. It didn't.

edgy, dry, dark and ridiculous

[vicky-51523 · 8/10 · 15 February 2019]

Funny NZ movie, don't be swayed by some poor reviews from people who likely prefer their humour served up American style rather than Antipodean, but I for one appreciate their edginess, no limits and ability to laugh at themselves very much indeed, I think its quality. This film doesnt come across low budget to me as some reviewers claim, I think its on point, well acted with laugh out loud bits in it. I love the fact the two main actors wrote, directed and starred in the film, which is about a business run by two friends who offer a service dumping peoples partners for them, the varied and extreme ways they go about it is at times too funny/shocking for words. Amongst many brilliant scenes there is a short but fab cameo near the beginning, a tinder date getting down to it played by the wonderful Jermaine Clement (What We Do in The Shadows, Men in Black 3). The whole film is edgy, dry, dark and ridiculous throughout - but not at all heavy. I thank the Lord above that we have such quality stuff coming from the other side of the world to lighten our northern hemispherical lives, Chris Lilley's Summer Heights High, No Activity, What We Do in The Shadows spring immediately to mind, and although this isn't quite the same caliber, it IS under the radar quality comedy and I can think of many worse ways to spend an hour and a half on a dark February evening in the UK.

Hit and miss comedy

[nickboldrini · 6/10 · 1 April 2019]

Genuinely laugh out loud moments in this, but as often with comedy, the story starts to get too serious and (to be honest less interesting) which detracts from the fun value of this film.

WTF

[jwftoestand · 5/10 · 23 May 2018]

Ending makes you question what was the point of the whole movie

It's quite funny

[Gordon-11 · 17 February 2019]

This film tells the story of two women who break relationships for a living.

The breaking up part is quite funny, and there are plenty of jokes to keep the laughs going. The friendship part of the film is a bit slower, but it's still good. The fact that all actors and actresses are fresh faces to me is quite refreshing.

An actually funny comedy.

[obrienigm · 7/10 · 1 January 2020]

This movie is a lot of fun. It get the tone just right, and has lots of lovely performances. It manages to be silly and clever all at the same time. Highly recommended.

Ridiculous fun

[ysabelkid42 · 7/10 · 4 August 2019]

I enjoy a good girl-buddy movie, and this one's right up near the top of my list. It's certainly no American-style comedy, so keep that in mind if you're expecting a Hollywood romp. It may look low-budget because there aren't any big sets as such, just people's homes, a police station, and sports clubs, but that adds to the charm when coupled with the rapid-fire patter of the leads. Pretty much the only bit that rang a bit false for me was the strip scene - fun though it was, the complete lack of interest from the rest of the office was a touch unbelievable. Other than that, if you're looking for warm, if raucous, humour that doesn't involve bodily fluids, give this one a try. It certainly left me with a grin on my face.

Wanted to love it - SO DISAPPOINTED

[redmondgarmony · 2/10 · 23 November 2018]

Mildly amusing opening & first 8 minutes, downhill from there. Can't believe Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement had their hands on it... surely they could have edited the script a bit?!? Doesn't know if it's a drama or a comedy and doesn't work as either. Who is the intended audience? Almost every sin of scriptwriting is included: multiple scenes didn't move the story along, cliché after cliché, tired old jokes made the cut. Good premise (outsourcing the blow of breaking up), poorly executed. What a pity :(

Uncomfortably funny

[daemon-21664 · 7/10 · 2 August 2018]

A solid NZ film - with a comic sensibility that is variously awkward, dark, subversive, and squirm-in-your-seat vicariously embarrassing (in the best possible way). I can easily imagine this film appealing to Australian or British audiences, who have similar comedy traditions (think Norman Gunston, Kath & Kim, Little Britain, The League of Gentlemen).

It's a waste of time and money!

[tim-anderson-18791 · 1/10 · 3 August 2018]

I would have given this movie no stars if I could, but 1 star is the lowest rating that IMDB gives. This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Terrible story. Weak characters. Appalling acting. There is absolutely nothing humorous at all in this movie. I can't believe that anyone would waste time and energy to produce such a weak film. I was ready to walk out after about 30 minutes but endured a little more to try and justify the cost of my ticket. It's just absolute utter rubbish.

The trailer was the best part; then it went downhill

[sethompson-80775 · 6/10 · 21 February 2020]

This had a lot of promise. The trailer made it seem funny. The movie began on a ridiculous premise and became more unbelievable as it moved on. Be aware before you invest 82 minutes if you life.

Disappointing

[morbiusephilologist · 1/10 · 9 May 2018]

I wish I had seen the User Review by beingmaggie before attending this movie (shown as a school fundraiser). The school had failed to indicate its censorship rating (M), which allows those aged 10 or over to see it, and my wife and I were very uncomfortable to see a girl who seemed only 9 or 10 there with her mother. The movie was mercifully short, but seemed longer. "beingmaggie" has said it all - the actors were OK, but the material relied heavily on shock value for many of its laughs - it was rarely witty. Yes, there were some good laughs but these were only occasional. Mostly, it was a Suspense-Horror movie... waiting for it to drop the next crudity or for the umpteenth time to depict cocaine-snorting or simulated sex under a rug. We will watch out for that "Comedy" label in future, and for the line-up of professional (i.e. paid) reviews calling a movie "hilarious". Maybe the unpaid reviews are more accurate.

oh god yes!!

[ivantheeditor · 10/10 · 3 December 2018]

I'm european so maybe that's why i loved all the nasty humor but honestly i don't know what these people are talking about. this movie is a hidden gem. it's so freaking unique and original. the only thing i didn't like about this movie was how short it was!! it wasn't perfect but for a kiwi movie it was so much better than i expected. the acting from the two chicks was spot on. this isn't trying to win any oscars, it's just a ridiculous, hilarious movie to help you kill some time in a great way.

Not for the faint hearted

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 31 July 2019]

When I first saw the lead actress in this, I thought of an American Actress - and even the movie or the character acknowledges that with a joke during the movie. Now the jokes may not be your taste, that is something you have to find out for yourselves.

But the movie is consistent, it does not deter from its course. So if you like it, you'll like all of it, but if you are annoyed, you will very likely be annoyed by all of it. Jokes are (im)mature and there are sexual relationships (consumed). There are taboos and other things broken, mostly for comedic effect though. So this is not really meant to titilate/excite you. It's decent enough if you are into that kind of thing

crude and vulgar

[beingmaggie · 1/10 · 5 May 2018]

Usually enjoy nz and aussie movies but this was sadly lacking a script so resorted to grossness and vulgarity to fill in. the storyline was all over the place the only consistant thing about it was how it managed to get back to gutter humour. the only good thing about this sad little movie was the actors trying to do something with this rubbish production ,dont waste your hard earned cash on this purile load of rubbish maybe if your age between 13 - 14 you may find it funny its a childrens movie without wit