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Mr. Wrong is a 1985 New Zealand horror film, directed by Gaylene Preston.[1] The film was based on an Elizabeth Jane Howard short story.[2][3] It was released in the US as Dark of the Night.[4]

Synopsis

Meg buys a Jaguar car, unaware that the previous owner was murdered and the vehicle is haunted. She soon finds herself stalked by the killer.[2][5]

Cast

  • Heather Bolton as Meg
  • David Letch as The Man (Mr Wrong)
  • Perry Piercy as Mary Carmichael
  • Suzanne Lee as Val
  • Margaret Umbers as Samantha
  • Danny Mulheron as Wayne Wright
  • Gary Stalker as Bruce
  • Michael Haigh as Mr Whitehorn
  • Phillip Gordon as Clive (car salesman)
  • Kate Harcourt as Meg's mother
  • Rebecca Gibney as Clive's secretary

Production

It was the first film made by Preston-Laing Productions (Gaylene Preston and Robin Laing).[6][7]

Reception

The film received positive reviews from New Zealand critics,[8] with The Press calling it "an assured, gripping thriller".[9] Overseas reviews were more mixed; the New York Times described it as "a mild effort" that "isn't quite sure whether it wants to be a chiller or a comedy."[4] The Los Angeles Times said the film "may be vulnerable to the charge of silliness from time to time, but it leaves us wanting to see Preston's next film."[10]

Film historians have compared Mr. Wrong to Melanie Rodriga's Trial Run (1984), an earlier New Zealand thriller with feminist themes.[11][12][13]

Awards

Best Female Performance in a Leading Role - Film: Heather Bolton

Nominated for Best Film Score: Jonathan Crayford [5]

Most Popular Film.[5]

References

  1. ^ Martin, Helen; Edwards, Sam (1997). New Zealand film, 1912-1996. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-558336-1. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Mr. Wrong". British Film Institute. 1990. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  3. ^ Howard, Elizabeth Jane (1 May 1984). Mr Wrong. Penguin (Non-Classics). ISBN 9780140046441. OL 9301167M. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b Goodman, Walter (2 May 1986). "'Dark,' Blue Jaguar with a Ghost". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b c "Mr Wrong". NZ On Screen. New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Gaylene Preston". (issuu pp. 61,64). No. 97–98. Cinema Papers New Zealand supplement. April 1994. pp. 15, 18. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  7. ^ Vieth, Albert; Moran, Errol (2009). The A to Z of Australian and New Zealand cinema. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0810863477.
  8. ^ "'Mr Wrong' doing all right". The Press. Christchurch, NZ. 10 March 1986 – via PapersPast.
  9. ^ Irvine, Bob (10 March 1986). "'Mr Wrong' gets it right". The Press. Christchurch, NZ – via PapersPast.
  10. ^ Thomas, Kevin (23 July 1986). "'Dark of Night': A Woman vs. a Car". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023.
  11. ^ Reid, Nicholas (1987). A Decade of New Zealand Film. John Mcindoe Ltd. ISBN 9780868680873.
  12. ^ Babington, Bruce (2007). A History of the New Zealand Fiction Feature Film. Manchester University Press. pp. 172–174. ISBN 9780719075421.
  13. ^ Schneider, Steven Jay; Williams, Tony (2005). Horror International. Wayne State University Press. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-8143-3101-9.

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