Mr. Wrong (1985 film)

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]

Mr Wrong
Directed byGaylene Preston
Written byGaylene Preston
Geoff Murphy
Based onElizabeth Jane Howard story
Produced byGaylene Preston
Robin Laing
StarringHeather Bolton
David Letch
Perry Piercy
CinematographyThomas Burstyn
Edited bySimon Reece
Music byJonathan Crayford
Production
company
Preston-Laing Productions
Release date
1985
Running time
88 minutes
CountryNew Zealand
LanguageEnglish

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. ISBN 0-19-558336-1. Retrieved 13 January 2023. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  2. "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. Goodman, Walter (2 May 1986). "'Dark,' Blue Jaguar with a Ghost". The New York Times.
  5. "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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