Whale Rider (2002)

  Plot Summary

The Maori people of a New Zealand costal community claim to be descendants from the legendary whale rider, Paikea, who was taken to safety to New Zealand on the back of a whale.  The community need a new chief to lead them and one of the community’s leaders, Koro (Rawiri Paratene), hopes that the birth of his grandchildren will bring a boy who could be chief but during childbirth the mother and one of the twins, a boy, dies leaving a granddaughter called Pia.  Koro is bitterly disappointed and as the years pass he eventual accepts Pia (Keisha Castle-Hughes) but she is only a young girl and what he really wanted was a boy with the skills to lead the people.  Pia struggles to gain acceptance and isn’t prepared to take second place…

Review

This film was made in New Zealand and tells a story of spirit and courage that is both uplifting and inspiring.  It also takes a look at some of the Maori culture and traditions. 

This low budget film has little in common with slick Hollywood productions and there are advantages and disadvantages to this.  On the good side it shows that a film doesn’t need big budget special effects and stunts to be interesting and entertaining.  The filming and the portrayal of the characters gives a sense of realism and you would genuinely get the feeling that these are real, ordinary people in a real-life community somewhere on the coast of New Zealand.  Also the film doesn’t get over-sentimental which, with this type of story, would have been an easy trap to fall into. 

On the down side, and maybe this is only because normally my viewing originates in Hollywood where action and pace are king, I found that the story plodded along slowly.  Family entertainment it might be but very few children will sit quietly through the whole thing.  I couldn’t help thinking that something more needs to happen.

The acting in the film is excellent and it is this that makes the characters realistic.  Keisha Castle-Hughes plays the young girl Pia who struggles to gain her grandfather’s approval and to find her identity and place in the community.  In one part she has to make a speech in front of her school friends and their parents at a “school night”.  She is upset and is trying to talk while choking back the tears.  I don’t think anyone anywhere could have acted this scene any better.

The Bottom Line:  A well-made film that gets bogged down at times but leaves a good feeling inside at the end.

Lasting Thought:  Don’t be afraid to question, don’t be afraid to change, be brave and courageous and never give up; fulfil your destiny.  Go forward, together, in strength.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Drama

Certificate: 12's

Director: Niki Caro

Main Cast

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Rawiri Paratene

Vicky Haughton

Cliff Curtis

Grant Roa

Mana Taumaunu

RATING

3 STARS

WORTH A WATCH