Whale Rider (2002) directed by Niki Caro
Whale Rider opens with the birth of Pai, who narrates that it was not a day of celebration; her twin brother and mother die in the process. Her father is so grief stricken that he flees leaving her to the care of her grandparents Koro and Nanny. Pai, now twelve, is strong willed, intelligent, and emotionally aware. Her only fault is being a girl, which excludes her from many of the Maori activities in a male dominated culture. Koro loves her as a granddaughter but is extremely strict as he has rigid expectations of what a Maori girl can and cannot do, such as being chosen to be the future leader of the tribe. The main conflict of the film revolves around their teetering relationship as Pai attempts to win Koro's approval despite his stubborn views. It is a familiar story with familiar themes. You may even call it formulaic but it is a formula for a reason. These are stories that that transcend time and culture and carry universal truths. It may be about a Maori girl living in New Zealand but could easily be about a Navajo girl in America.
Part of the appeal of the film lies in the portrayal of Maori life in modern New Zealand. It is a fading culture where its elders such as Koro attempt to fiercely hold onto their traditions. We don't see anything spectacular happening, just the daily routines of modern living, which is why it is so important for Koro to hold onto the past.
One of my biggest beefs with having kids star in dramas is that most child actors suck. It is always a revelation then to find the rare film where the kid is great and Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was twelve at the time, basically makes this film. (She was the youngest person ever nominated for an Academy Award for this role.) She shows plenty of natural talent and plays Pai convincingly and movingly.
If I were to have a couple minor complaints it would be in Koro and Pai's father. I understand that Koro must be portrayed as a total hard-ass to make his turn all the more dramatic but he doesn't deserve the unconditional love that Pai gives him. Also Pai's father, Koro's son, disapproves of Koro's expectations of him and flees to live his own life as an act of rebellion, yet leaves behind Pai to be raised by him? What kind of father is that? And he too is undeserving of Pai's unconditional love. I suppose this makes Pai's character all all the more powerful as she is all loving and understanding, but I would guess not terribly realistic.
Grade: A-
Whale Rider opens with the birth of Pai, who narrates that it was not a day of celebration; her twin brother and mother die in the process. Her father is so grief stricken that he flees leaving her to the care of her grandparents Koro and Nanny. Pai, now twelve, is strong willed, intelligent, and emotionally aware. Her only fault is being a girl, which excludes her from many of the Maori activities in a male dominated culture. Koro loves her as a granddaughter but is extremely strict as he has rigid expectations of what a Maori girl can and cannot do, such as being chosen to be the future leader of the tribe. The main conflict of the film revolves around their teetering relationship as Pai attempts to win Koro's approval despite his stubborn views. It is a familiar story with familiar themes. You may even call it formulaic but it is a formula for a reason. These are stories that that transcend time and culture and carry universal truths. It may be about a Maori girl living in New Zealand but could easily be about a Navajo girl in America.
Part of the appeal of the film lies in the portrayal of Maori life in modern New Zealand. It is a fading culture where its elders such as Koro attempt to fiercely hold onto their traditions. We don't see anything spectacular happening, just the daily routines of modern living, which is why it is so important for Koro to hold onto the past.
One of my biggest beefs with having kids star in dramas is that most child actors suck. It is always a revelation then to find the rare film where the kid is great and Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was twelve at the time, basically makes this film. (She was the youngest person ever nominated for an Academy Award for this role.) She shows plenty of natural talent and plays Pai convincingly and movingly.
If I were to have a couple minor complaints it would be in Koro and Pai's father. I understand that Koro must be portrayed as a total hard-ass to make his turn all the more dramatic but he doesn't deserve the unconditional love that Pai gives him. Also Pai's father, Koro's son, disapproves of Koro's expectations of him and flees to live his own life as an act of rebellion, yet leaves behind Pai to be raised by him? What kind of father is that? And he too is undeserving of Pai's unconditional love. I suppose this makes Pai's character all all the more powerful as she is all loving and understanding, but I would guess not terribly realistic.
Grade: A-
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