50 Ways of Saying Fabulous

[Director] Stewart Main had a hunch that his leads would be real life, “authentic country kids” with little or no film experience. Main spent several months on the road travelling to schools all over New Zealand auditioning children for the roles. After an extensive search, Main’s initial hunch was proven correct, and as with Keisha Castle-Hughes of Whale Rider fame, none of the lead children have any previous film experience.

– From the 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous press kit

You couldn’t get two more different films than [Desperate] Remedies and 50 Ways, yet Stewart has such a strong visual style himself that there are similarities. Each shot is so cinematic and carefully arranged, and the tone he is creating is very sweet and innocent.

– Producer Michele Fantl on director Stewart Main's style, Onfilm magazine, March 2004, page 13

We believe we have a very sweet script that many people will hopefully relate to.

– Producer Michele Fantl, Onfilm magazine, March 2004, page 12

This is an important film – it’s about young men falling in love.

– Actor Rima Te Wiata (Aunt Evey), in the film's press kit

As soon as I saw Jay, I knew he was the one. 

– Director Stewart Main on casting Jay Collins as Roy, in the film's press kit

As refreshing and quirky as 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous often is, it also suffers to a degree from its strangeness. It can seem at times more like a funky B movie than a modern coming-out story. Still, the movie is a satisfying, oddball treat on many levels. Many viewers will certainly identify and sympathize with the chunky protagonist, remembering all too well our own alien pasts, and thankful indeed that they’re behind us.

– Reviewer Dan Odenwald in a three star review, in American LGBTQ publication Metro Weekly, 22 October 2005

Again, this film could never be made in America. Conservatives would fume . . . the ratings board would have no idea what to do with it, though by all accounts the harshest rating it could possibly get would be PG-13 for some language which isn’t really all that bad. It’s the tone of the film that would cause the problem . . . Hats off to the filmmakers and actors here. They’ve made a film Americans should see but most never will because they could never handle it. Good job. You deserve more than one award.

– Reviewer Doug Brunell on American website Film Threat, 23 August 2006

Andrew carried himself so honestly and bravely…I learnt a lot from him. 

– Actor Michael Dorman (Jamie), describes fellow actor Andrew Paterson (Billy) in the film's press kit.