Whale Rider Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)September 15th, 2003
WHALE RIDER (2002) / *** 1/2
Directed by Niki Caro. Screenplay by Caro, based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera. Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Cliff Curtis. Running time: 101 minutes. Rated PG for mild language by the MFCB. Reviewed on September 14th, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Koro (Paratene) is a chief amongst the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. He believes that his son Porourangi (Curtis) will father a child fated to be the spiritual leader of the Maori, but is devastated when the offspring turns out to be a girl, Pai (Castle-Hughes). Pai is nonetheless determined to fulfill her destiny as the successor to her namesake, Paikea, the fabled Whale Rider.
Review: It would be easy to just dismiss "Whale Rider" as another coming-of-age movie, but that would scarcely do the film justice. This is an involving and uplifting story, and while it is indeed a coming-of-age movie, it pays only limited lip service to the conventions of the genre. For one thing, this is as much a story about a culture as an individual. Few in North America are likely to be more than passingly familiar with the Maori, and "Whale Rider" offers a fascinating glimpse of them as a people with one foot in the mythical past, and one in the mundane present. This theme is reflected in the central conflict of the movie, in which the immovable rock of tradition is confronted by the implacable forces of progress and new ways of thinking. And while all the cast of "Whale Rider" offer fine, naturalistic performances, it is the two actors called upon to embody these two philosophies whose work is most laudable. Paratene is excellent as Koro. He could easily have settled for a stereotypically gruff, unbending portrayal, but instead gives the character unexpected layers: Koro loves Pai, but hates the threat he perceives her as posing to his beliefs. And Castle-Hughes herself is a revelation, displaying an emotional maturity which belies her age and experience. Backed by mesmeric direction from Caro, "Whale Rider" is a joyous cinematic work.
Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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