A One Mann’s Movies review of “Prime Minister”. (2025, 4*, 12).
Having just also reviewed “Melania“, which, although a poorly made documentary, actually cast the current First Lady in quite a sympathetic light, here’s a far more coherent and grittier documenatary. “Prime Minister” is not only about a truly remarkable and humble politician, but it is also a very well-structured documentary as well. It covers the 6-year tenure of New Zealand premier Jacinda Ardern from 2017 through to 2023.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
We see Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly take the Prime Minister role in 2017, after being given a poisoned chalice by her unloved predecessor, and her 6 years of turbulent rule through the Covid epidemic.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: NR. (From the BBFC website: “Infrequent strong language, moderate threat, upsetting scenes”.)
Talent:
Starring: Jacinda Ardern, Clarke Gayford.
Directed by: Lindsay Utz & Michelle Walshe.
Running Time: 1h 41m.
Review:
Positives:
- The film’s style is as simple as its title. It shows us the historical events leading up to her unexpected victory but we see her own internal struggles of doubt and self-confidence as captured in candid footage taken by her husband Clarke Gayford.
- What comes across is the brilliance of the woman as a politician and – above all – as a sensitive and caring human being. If there was half of this amount of humility and grace amongst some other male national leaders, the world would be in a FAR better shape.
- The film takes us to a few darker places, including the “darkest days” of the terror attack in Christchurch at the Al Noor mosque by an Australian gunman and also the nasty protests she had to endure, right outside the Parliament building in Wellington, due to her stance on the Covid epidemic. The film paints this as wholly unjust, which it was, given that the New Zealand strategy was seen globally as the most successful of any of the world’s nations. Most of the protesters seem to have been infected by the anti-vax nonsense of social media commentators in the US (who still seem to be spouting their toxic nonsense five years later!)
Negatives:
- I really enjoyed this, but for those uninterested in politics, it will be a slow watch.
Summary Thoughts:
When I was in New Zealand last November, I very nearly got to see this one on the big screen out there, but couldn’t make the times work! But this is a terrific documentary, well worth a watch.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brEFCizM9ws.
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