No. 2

No. 2 is a heartwarming and captivating film directed by Toa Fraser and produced by Tim White, Philippa Campbell, and Lydia Livingstone. The film takes us to New Zealand, where the story is set, homing in on the bustling, colorful suburban Mt. Roskill in Auckland. It takes us through a poignant dive into the lives of its characters, winding a roller-coaster of emotions, personal challenges, resilience, cultural diversity, togetherness, and celebration of life. As a testament to its brilliance, No. 2 was officially selected by Laugh, Dance and Cry, and it won the prestigious Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

Anchoring the story is the venerable Ruby Dee, who brilliantly plays Nanna Maria, the fiercely independent and strong-willed matriarch of a sprawling Fijian family living in Mt. Roskill, Auckland. She shines in this role, giving a stellar performance that is as commanding as it is endearing. She casts a large shadow over the lives of her family, and yet she yearns for someone among them to rise up and carry her spirit forward.

Her charisma reveals not only the strength and determination inherent within her, but also the poignant vulnerability of an aging woman who starts to feel the tangibility of her mortality. With the clock fast running against her, Nanna Maria perceives now is the opportune moment to recognize her potential successor. She wakes up one sunny morning, and she suddenly decides that it's time for a grand family feast where she will announce the "Number Two," the title designated to her chosen heir.

Mia Blake, who plays Charlene, is Nanna Maria's headstrong granddaughter. While Charlene battles her inner demons, she tries her best to balance modernity with her cultural roots. She valiantly attempts to organize the feast that her grandmother desires, but the task is no easy feat. The chaotic nature of the family rears its head, setting the stage for a day filled with suspense, humor, and a few surprising twists.

Rene Naufahu in the role of Erasmus, Nanna Maria's lost son, comes home after many years. His complicated past and turbulent relationship with his mother add another layer of intrigue and suspense to the storyline. His return home reignites old tensions but also brings a glimmer of hope for redemption and resolution.

Character development throughout the film is phenomenal. Each character has sufficient screen time to understand their individual challenges, quirks, and evolution. What starts as a simple gathering becomes a melting pot of history, secrets, desires, and family ties. The intimate familial relationships, marked by a complex combination of love and frustration, are vividly portrayed, making the viewer invested in every character's life.

The film dances elegantly between the past and the present, unveiling a narrative layered with nostalgia, memories, joy, tension, anticipation, and acceptance. Director Toa Fraser takes us on a journey through the heart of a typical suburban Fijian community that is dynamic, vibrant, multi-ethnic, and sundrenched. It shows us that every family, no matter how chaotic and dysfunctional, has a unique rhythm that binds them together.

The cinematic brilliance and memorable performances make No. 2 a film that paints a vivid picture, not only of a family crisscrossing through their challenges but also of a community thriving in its diversity. The movie artfully integrates elements of drama, comedy, and culture. The broad comedic scenes, intense family dialogue, and emotional monologues by several cast members all add up to an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Watching No. 2 is like being welcomed into a warm, funny, vibrant, sometimes dysfunctional, but deeply loving family. It encourages us to reflect on the importance of cultural heritage, family, community, forgiveness, acceptance, and love. It is a movie that will not only entertain but will also leave a lasting impression long after the credits roll.