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REVIEW: The Breaker Upperers New Zealand’s answer to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

The Breaker Upperers (M)

Directed by: Madeleine Sami, Jackie van Beek

Starring: Madeleine Sami, Jackie van Beek, James Rolleston

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Four stars

Review by: Julian Wright

In cinemas July 26

EVER felt trapped and unhappy in a relationship but didn’t have the guts to break up with your significant other face to face?

Who you gonna call? The Breaker Upperers.

Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek, New Zealand’s answer to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey or Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, flesh out the zany idea of a break up service while making social commentary on modern relationships and the sisterhood.

Despite discovering they were dating the same man, Mel (Madeleine Sami) and Jen (Jackie van Beek) have become inseparable besties.

They even a created a service that is going gangbusters – people hire them to help them break up with their boyfriends or girlfriends.

Seemingly oblivious to the questionable ethics of their profession, the duo don a variety of characters, be it A country and western style breakup-a-gram or posing as cops to deliver news of the “missing” other half, to send people to dumpsville.

Tensions arise when Mel becomes attracted to their latest client, the dopey Jordan (James Rolleston).

In a time when people are just ghosting each other online (suddenly cutting all communication when they are done with the relationship), the concept seems redundant. That, however, does not make it any less funny.

These comedic powerhouse women have concocted a deliciously cheeky story and delivered on the laughs.

Their rapport seems less script-reliant and more improvisational, yet the two interact with such ease and comfort that their on-screen friendship rings true.

There is a hilarious tribute to 80s music video clips (that will have Celine Dion stuck in your head for weeks) and a side-splitting supporting cast.

This is one film you won’t want to break up with.

The Breaker Upperers screened at the Revelation Perth international Film Festival and opens on July 26.

Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek will host a Q and A screening at Luna Leederville on July 16.