Twenty year old Carol Dunn seems all set to win a surprise medal for New Zealand in the Olympic pool.

Back home, along with the rest of the nation, her family is caught up in the euphoria and nervously awaits the arrival of television director, Brian Stanning and Paul, his young cameraman, who will film them watching Carol’s finest hour.

But Chrissy, Carol’s drop out identical twin, refuses to take part in the broadcast until the small matter of her parentage, brought into question by her father on his deathbed, is cleared up.

She is confronted by Paul’s unwelcome presence – her one night stand with him is the last thing she wants to revisit. And Paul himself soon realises that all is not as it seems within the apparently unremarkable suburban walls of the Dunn household.

No one is prepared for the riot of recrimination and revelation that erupts during the build up to the fateful broadcast. Thirty five year old Jen, whose biological clock is ticking fast, is hot on the first horrifying trail: just who is the father of the baby that middle sister Lyn is on the verge of having? And why is Ken, her mild but errant electrician husband, acting
so strangely?

Good-hearted Paul tries to do his best by Chrissy. But it is her mum, Joyce, who eventually reveals the circumstances of the twins’ birth. And it’s Joyce, rejuvenated by an accidental and near fatal whack of electricity, who initiates the twin’s emotional reconciliation with the rest of the family.

Thus, finally, the television pictures that emerge from the Dunn household moments after Carol’s amazing feat, are, in spite of everything, glorious. Together, with Carol, beamed into their lives via satellite, the Dunns celebrate the awful, awesome triumph that is family life.

Running time
90 minutes

Starring
Danielle Cormack
Tim Balme
Rima Te Wiata
Karl Urban

Jodie Dorday
Brian Sergent
Donna Akersten

A Satellite Film production in association with The New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Film 2 and Portman.