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Take Home Pay

Name: Take Home Pay
Director: Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Released: 2019
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

5.8/10

Fair

2019

Director

Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Take Home Pay serves as a vital disruption to the New Zealand cinematic landscape by centering Pasifika identities. By placing Samoan seasonal workers at the heart of an action-comedy, the film moves characters of color from the periphery to the center of the narrative. The film's strength lies in its intentional focus on ethnic and cultural representation. It explores the socio-economic realities of the diaspora and the pressures of economic migration through a lens that prioritizes localized humor over Western clichés. However, the film lacks visible engagement with LGBTQ+ or disability representation. The narrative remains heavily focused on male-driven fraternal dynamics, leaving other multi-layered identities largely unaddressed.

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Category Breakdown

Does Take Home Pay have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on fraternal dynamics and familial obligations. There is no explicit mention of queer identities or non-straight relationships.

How does Take Home Pay portray gender?

Fair

The plot centers on male-driven dynamics involving brothers and a private investigator. While it challenges some masculine stereotypes through Bob Titilo, female roles are not detailed.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Take Home Pay?

Excellent

The narrative disrupts Anglo-Saxon dominance by centering Samoan seasonal workers. It provides a significant role in driving the story to characters of color within the core story.

How does Take Home Pay represent religion and culture?

Good

The film explores the complexities of the migrant experience and familial duty. It prioritizes localized cultural humor over rigid Western procedural clichés.

Does Take Home Pay include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

Strong centering of Pasifika identities and Samoan narratives.
Disrupts traditional Anglo-Saxon dominance in the action-comedy genre.
Explores nuanced themes of migrant experiences and familial duty.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or queer identities.
Limited focus on female character's ability to drive the story and gender diversity.
No evidence of disability representation within the story.

Official Synopsis

Two brothers; Alama and Popo, arrive for the first time in NZ as Seasonal Workers, making plenty of money to take back home to their family in Samoa. But things take a turn for the worst when Popo steals Alamas' money and runs away. Alama is determined not to return home empty handed, but the only relative that answers his call for help is Bob Titilo; an aspiring private investigator in his 40s. Alama begins to doubt his decision when Bob's unconventional methods take them on a wild goose chase. This New Action Comedy is brought to you by the Makers of hit Comedies; Three Wise Cousins and Hibiscus and Ruthless.

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