Watch The End of the Golden Weather

The End of the Golden Weather is a 1991 New Zealand drama film directed by Ian Mune. Set in 1930s New Zealand, the film follows the summer adventures of young Ronald Hugh Morrieson (Stephen Fulford) and his group of friends as they navigate their way through life in a small rural town. Ronald, known as "Toss" to his friends, spends most of his summer exploring the countryside and indulging in mischief with his best friend, Fatso (Stephen Papps). But as the summer draws to a close, Toss begins to realize that his childhood is ending and adulthood is on the horizon. He also learns that the world is not as simple as he once thought, as he is exposed to the complexities of the adult relationships around him.

One of these relationships is that of his parents, played by Paul Gittins and Catherine Downes. Their troubled marriage is a constant source of tension for Toss, and he struggles to make sense of their unhappiness. Meanwhile, he is also grappling with his own first love interest, a girl named Pauline (Anne Flannery).

Throughout the film, Toss and his friends engage in various activities that capture the essence of New Zealand summer life, such as swimming in creeks, picnicking by the river, and exploring the countryside. They also get into their fair share of trouble, including a memorable scene where Toss and Fatso steal a bottle of whiskey from a local store and pass it around to their friends.

But despite the carefree nature of their adventures, the film also tackles several serious themes. These include the fragility of childhood innocence, the pain of unrequited love, and the struggles of adult relationships. The film also touches on issues of class and race, as the friends encounter Maori people and working-class families who live in stark contrast to their own relatively privileged upbringing.

The title of the film, The End of the Golden Weather, is a reference to a poem by Ron Morrieson, the real-life inspiration for the character of Toss. The poem speaks about the fleeting nature of childhood summers and the bittersweet feeling of growing up.

Overall, The End of the Golden Weather is a poignant coming-of-age story that captures both the joys and pains of growing up in a small rural community. With its stunning New Zealand scenery, heartfelt performances, and timeless themes, it is a film that continues to resonate with audiences today.

The End of the Golden Weather is a 1991 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.