River Queen hammered again

A second damning review of the New Zealand film River Queen describes it as a "waterlogged, would-be epic", lacking emotion, and narrative invention.

The review - by film critic Scott Foundas and posted on the website of Variety magazine - follows one last week that said the multi-million-dollar film was "both underwritten and confusing".

His review states that the film's production woes, including lead actress Samantha Morton's illness that saw her admitted to hospital, and director Vincent Ward's firing and re-hiring, were all too evident in the finished product.

The film made its international debut earlier this month at the Toronto International Film Festival. Film Commission chief executive Ruth Harley said it was well-received.