What’s missing in Carter doco?
Review Dan Carter: A Perfect 10 (PG, 91 mins) Directed by Luke Mellows Reviewed by James Croot ★★★
The real compelling and emotional centre of this slick, but somewhat shallow, look at the life and games of New Zealand’s top points scorer isn’t the 112-test All Black.
Instead, it’s his father Neville. Carter the elder is the scene stealer of Luke Mellows’ tale, whether it’s mock-bemoaning the state of his lawn after he installed goalposts for his son’s eight birthday, remembering his pride at hearing Dan’s name being called as an All Black for the first time in 2003, always reminding his son to ‘‘watch his back’’ whenever he was playing South Africa and tearfully recalling what he witnessed during the February 22, 2011, Christchurch earthquake.
As a volunteer firefighter, Neville Carter worked through the evening and night trying to rescue those trapped in the Forsyth Barr and PGC buildings, eventually returning to his home in Southbridge around 3am.
Unable to sleep, he decided to put on his favourite All Blacks test featuring his son – the 2005 Lions clash in Christchurch.
It’s a poignant, truly genuine and heartfelt moment that A Perfect 10 could do with more of.
For the most part, this is an engaging if predictable trawl through Dan Carter’s rise from country phenomenon just enjoying playing with his mates to double World Cupwinning All Black.
Thankfully, we’re spared the cringy re-enactments that blighted the 2016 Richie Mccaw doco Chasing Great (although former Verve lead guitarist Nick Mccabe’s
‘‘atmospheric’’ score becomes rather repetitive and obtrusive after a while).
A smattering of family photos and home videos fill in the chapter on Carter’s childhood.
Shot around his shift from France’s Racing 92 to Japan’s Kobelco Steelers, Perfect 10 does find the footballer in a reflective mood.
Like his Dad, he too recalls where he was on that devastating day in Christchurch (at Rugby Park, wearing only a towel), recounts his frustration at his ongoing injury troubles throughout this decade and takes a sad tour around a dilapidated and broken Lancaster Park.
But for the most part, all the talk is left to others.
Former colleagues and coaches and rugby commentators all weigh in on his special set of skills.
Wife Honor also chimes in with a few insights, suggesting that it was ‘‘often easier to eat at home’’ than brave central Christchurch, especially when Carter was pulling double duty as an underwear model.
Mention is also made of the ‘‘harsh, hurtful, deceitful media treatment’’ he received in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup, but without any specific examples or complaint from the man himself.
But in the end, this is a celebration of the little boy from Southbridge (as current All Blacks coach Steve Hansen calls him) who proved first five-eighth legends Grant Fox and Andrew Mehrtens could be replaced.
There’s plenty of footage here to remind us of his remarkable talents (and how drop kicks can change a rugby game), but Perfect
10 just doesn’t feel like it’s giving us the ‘‘full Dan Carter’’.
This is a celebration of the little boy from Southbridge who proved first fiveeighth legends Grant Fox and Andrew Mehrtens could be replaced.