Tribeca 2021: The Justice of Bunny King
Custody dramas are usually known for their seriousness and gloomy nature; however, what is so different about The Justice of Bunny King is that it assumes none of those qualities, at least for most of its runtime. In her debut feature, director Gaysorn Thavat offers a well-considered and genuinely moving story about how a troubled single mother fights against poverty in order to retrieve the custody of her children. It is also about family dysfunctions and children who are no longer closer to their parents for multiple reasons. The film is far from perfect but still deeply affecting and features a striking set of performances.
Bunny King (Essie Davis) is a single mother who earns a living by washing car windshields on the streets of New Zealand, pocketing the change she earns in tips. She has no place of her own and spends the night at her sister’s home, who has recently found a new partner. Her two kids Rueben (Angus Stevens) and Shannon (Amelie Baynes), have been placed in foster care, and Bunny wants to be reunited with them as soon as possible, but the authorities prevent her from doing so until she finds her own house. On the other hand, Bunny’s niece Tonya (Thomasin McKenzie) feels insecure living with her mom’s new partner. When a plan that would finally allow Bunny to bring her kids home falls apart, Bunny is forced to become a champion not only for herself and her children but also for her teenage niece, who is desperate for her help.
Essie Davis continues to prove that she is one of the finest actresses of our generation, and twenty-year-old Thomasin McKenzie demonstrates her immense talent through this secondary role. It is a very performance-driven film as most of the story is concerned with its characters' hardships. However, the film has a number of drawbacks, such as uneven pacing issues and an improper closure for some of its characters. This may depend from viewer to viewer, as people can expect different outcomes from the story. The second half definitely outweighs the first in terms of steady pacing and emotional depth, as most of the third act takes place inside a police station. There are various takeaways from this film; some people might perceive it as just another custody drama, whereas others may think of it as one with many levels of message.
The Justice of Bunny King is a story with not a lot of surprising elements, but it shines mainly due to its outstanding performances and touching moral. The storyline may seem dramatic and depressing to some. However, it offers much more than that. Viewers also get a subplot of bonding and strong family values as well as some jolly moments here and there to keep a dramatic movie light.