Acting an enjoyable escapade for Tim Finn

Tim Finn as Martin Williamson in <i>Predicament</i>. Photo / Supplied

Tim Finn gets his first starring role in a movie with Predicament - and he writes the theme tune too, which, by the sounds, was no easy task considering he had to get that word into a song.

Back in the 80s the former Split Enz leader had minor film roles in movies like The Coca Cola Kid and Les Patterson Saves the World, but his portrayal of Cedric's eccentric father Martin Williamson is an inspired piece of casting by director Jason Stutter.

Not that Finn has many lines in the film, since he spends most of the film on his own little planet pottering around building a tower in the Williamson family's front yard.

Are you a Ronald Hugh Morrieson fan? If so, did that help you decide to get involved?

Yes, a huge fan. I found Predicament in a second-hand bookstore, lent it, got another one, etc ... I've read all four novels. So yes, that and [director] Jason Stutter's enthusiasm made it hard to say no.

Acting. Is it hard?

Hard to know what to say to this one. I was surrounded by great people, beautiful sets, and basically the atmosphere took over.

Your character Martin Williamson is a man of few words and not many scenes. Are your songs in the film so those who are flocking to the movie to see you on the big screen don't go home disappointed?

No. Jason wanted Nothing Wrong With You [off the 2004 Finn Brothers album Everyone Is Here] as soon as someone from the crew played it to him. I wrote Predicament to kind of challenge myself to make that word sing.

The tower that Martin Williamson is building in his front yard - have you ever been caught up in an artistic project like that yourself? One where your nearest and dearest wondered quite what you were doing? And maybe you didn't quite know yourself?

Every time I write a song.

Jemaine Clement is on the artwork to the Predicament single. Did he actually play on it? And if so doesn't that risk making you the Yoko Ono of Flight of the Conchords?

He sings - great and genuine baritone - and it was fun hanging out in the Taranaki sunshine with him. I don't think Bret would be all that bothered.

The movie takes place in a fictitious Hawera (or Eltham). You've already done Parihaka. Could this be the making of a Taranaki concept album? And how will a guy from the Waikato get away with that?

I've always loved Taranaki. We have family connections down there anyway, but [there's] something about the energy of the ocean and the mountain. I don't think the people of the Waikato would begrudge me that.

-TimeOut