Jubilee is about the people of a small town in New Zealand who are holding a celebration to mark a milestone in the history of their local school. Different people have different ideas about what should be done, but not everyone with an opinion is actually willing to do the work, so all ends up resting on the shoulders of one person, Billy Williams. Unfortunately, Billy's wife Pauline would rather Billy spent his time working on their dilapidated house than organising the celebrations.
And then the in-laws start to make noises about coming to live in the old house next door. Pauline does not want that to happen. While destroying the old house, she discovers a stash of cash, before burning the house down. She doesn't tell anyone about the cash, but puts some of it to good use funding the jubilee, which has been facing a financial crisis.
Meanwhile, Billy comes home to find that the old house next door to their home has burned down, and his dreams crumble when he thinks about his wad of money that he'd hidden there. He thinks it is lost Will the jubilee go ahead, despite all the obstacles put in the way? Will Billy actually finish the preparations for it, despite having never finished anything in his life before? Will Pauline run off with her old flame, Max the All Black? The final laugh of the film - and I've laughed all the way through it every time I've watched it was the local publican's revenge on those who keep pissing against the wall of the pub, a continuing theme throughout the movie. What sound does a live electric fence make, guys?! This is good old-fashioned down-home Kiwi humour, with lots of familiar faces for those of us who have grown up in this country. Characters and situations that we can all recognise in our lives around us. Anyone who says otherwise either hasn't lived here for any length of time, or is in denial about their country's heritage.
And then the in-laws start to make noises about coming to live in the old house next door. Pauline does not want that to happen. While destroying the old house, she discovers a stash of cash, before burning the house down. She doesn't tell anyone about the cash, but puts some of it to good use funding the jubilee, which has been facing a financial crisis.
Meanwhile, Billy comes home to find that the old house next door to their home has burned down, and his dreams crumble when he thinks about his wad of money that he'd hidden there. He thinks it is lost Will the jubilee go ahead, despite all the obstacles put in the way? Will Billy actually finish the preparations for it, despite having never finished anything in his life before? Will Pauline run off with her old flame, Max the All Black? The final laugh of the film - and I've laughed all the way through it every time I've watched it was the local publican's revenge on those who keep pissing against the wall of the pub, a continuing theme throughout the movie. What sound does a live electric fence make, guys?! This is good old-fashioned down-home Kiwi humour, with lots of familiar faces for those of us who have grown up in this country. Characters and situations that we can all recognise in our lives around us. Anyone who says otherwise either hasn't lived here for any length of time, or is in denial about their country's heritage.
