Taglines: A man, a woman, and 117 cows.
The Price of Milk movie storyline. In 1969, This film is set in rural New Zealand where a farmer, Rob (Karl Urban), gets engaged to his love, Lucinda (Danielle Cormack). However, Lucinda is worried about their relationship losing its spark and she continues pushing him away to try to keep the spark alive. A string of quilt thefts have been occurring around town and when Lucinda finds hers, she is curious and reckless when she trades Rob’s cows, worth NZ$400,000, for it. Rob is beyond words in his rage and loses his voice as he drives away, leaving Lucinda to worry for days before their planned wedding.
The Price of Milk is a 2000/2001 Australian/New Zealand/American romantic fantasy film. It was directed by New Zealand actor and director Harry Sinclair. It stars Danielle Cormack, Karl Urban, Willa O’Neill, Michael Lawrence, Lawrence Makoare, Chris Graham, Rangi Motu, Tahuna Minhinnick and Michael Sweeney.
Film Review for The Price of Milk
Rob and Lucinda are the perfect dairy-farming couple living in rural New Zealand however when a mysterious old woman (“Auntie”) starts planting seeds of doubt into Lucinda’s mind things all take a surreal turn…
The thought of a film where the majority of the extras are on the bovine side may not be instantly inviting but The Price of Milk is a fantastically weird and funny little film. Boasting the sort of edgy, quirky slant usually only maintained in short film, it never compromises it’s oddness which is a joy. From the opening titles – which shows the couple fighting over their much-loved quilt – you know this is going to be no ordinary affair.
Using lush photography to capture the rolling New Zealand countryside in which the leads absoluetly revel, Sinclair increases the fantasy element with the introduction of things that just don’t quite fit (indian weddings, mad golfers, mysterious night visitors). The stunning visuals are accompanied by a very beautiful soundtrack of appropriately dream-like music. Sadly while the score is lovely it doesn’t quite seem to fit the film which operates on a more subtle and unusual level.
As the couple descend beautifully from deliriously happy to plain-old-delirious both leads remain convincing though Danielle Cormack’s portrayal of the gradually more flipped Lucinda stands out. Meanwhile “Auntie” is played with enigmatic relish as she commands her little hoard of hulking golf fanatic nephews.
A weird but very funny little film, comparable in its bizarrness to the Being John Malcovich. The final word must be reserved for the star that almost steals the show completely – Pirate the dog who plays one of cinema’s most inspired pets, Nigel.
The Price of Milk (2001)
Directed by: Harry Sinclair
Starring: Danielle Cormack, Karl Urban, Willa O’Neill, Michael Lawrence, Lawrence Makoare, Chris Graham, Rangi Motu, Tahuna Minhinnick, Michael Sweeney
Screenplay by: Harry Sinclair
Production Design by: Kirsty Cameron
Cinematography by: Leon Narbey
Film Editing by: Cushla Dillon
Costume Design by: Kirsty Cameron
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for drug use and sensuality / nudity.
Distributed by: Lot 47 Films, Lyrick Studios
Release Date: November 3, 2001
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