If I had a billion dollars, I would form a movie
distribution company. I would take amazing art-house films
like Whale Rider, and put them into as many
theatres as the lamely weak and embarrassingly ugly
mainstream, teen-targeted flicks like Bruce Almighty
and Dumb and Dumberer. Many of the major
distributors would say the reason that they don’t take
chances with pictures like Whale Rider, is because
they wouldn’t sell well to the average person. If people
were able to witness a film as wonderfully moving as this
one, though, I can guarantee that they would go back for a
second-helpings of the genre. The only reason that giant
distributors believe that art-house films won’t be able to
make it in the normal market, is because they’ve never
tried releasing one in it. Whale Rider is the best
film of the year so far, and I can guarantee that if the
entire U.S. population were to see it, ninety-nine percent
of the people to witness its purely divine goodness would
fall in love.
Whale Rider is a unique
gem, indeed. It takes us to present-day New Zealand, a
truly beautiful setting for such an empowering and
impacting film. Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is a young
Maori girl, whose twin brother and mother died during her
delivery. Her father, an artist, leaves New Zealand, but
comes back to visit regularly. Pai is primarily raised by
her grandfather, who she’s constantly trying to prove her
worthiness to, and her loving grandmother.
Pai’s grandfather, Koro (Rawiri
Paratene) was quite disappointed by the traumatic birth of
his granddaughter. In the male-dominant society of the
Maori, the sons of the native men train, and hope, to
become the chief of their people. Koro is the current
chief. His son, Porourangi, the father of Pai, was next in
line to become chief, but turned the position down so he
could leave New Zealand and pursue his career as an
artist. When Porourangi’s son died just after birth, Koro
was devastated that the boy that he believed would surely
become chief, had left the world before arising to the
position. Even worse, Porourangi’s wife had died; he would
have to find a new woman to have another son with.
Throughout the film, as Pai grows, she shows Koro that she
is as capable as any boy, and could become the next chief.
Despite his tremendous love for her, he will never accept
the fact that she could do so, and constantly puts her
down and doubts her. Pai’s ambition throughout Whale
Rider is spirit-lifting and heart-stopping.
Even though most of us have not
heard of any of the actors in Whale Rider, we can
appreciate their performances, often times more than any
veterans in Hollywood. Castle-Hughes is tremendous as Pai,
and shows more emotion in her role, than anyone else has
in the last decade. Castle-Hughes is always striking on
the screen, and values every second she has on it as if it
were a part of her own life. There are few times when I
feel tempted to burst out in the middle of a screening,
and express to the entire audience of the given film how
much I liked a certain person’s performance, but
Castle-Hughes made me want to. What’s even more miraculous
is that she isn’t even the best in the film; Paratene
takes that title. He gives the most powerful performance
of the picture, and symbolizes the real meaning of the it.
Whale Rider shows us, once again, that big, booming
special effects aren’t what make a movie great. It’s
excellent acting and a well-written script—two things that
this film definitely has.
I’ve been to more movies in the
last two years than many will see in a lifetime, and
rarely does one receive applause from the audience when
the credits begin to role. Whale Rider did not only
get the sporadic clap when over, but rightfully played
amongst a standing ovation from many. I have never come
across a film that put as great an impact on me, in my
life. It will surely do the same with every audience that
witnesses it, around the globe. As it stands right now,
it’s the best movie of the year so far—and even though it
will be overlooked because of the limited art-house
release, it’s deserving of all the box office money it can
take in. Whale Rider is spiritually moving and
epically tear-jerking. I cannot put into words the emotion
that we feel when viewing it. To sum it up in two final
words and a contraction—it’s extravagantly beautiful.
-Danny,
Bucket Reviews