Once Were Warriors
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Movie Reviews of Once Were Warriors
Movie Review: "You're still a slave Jake. To your fists. To the drink. To yourself."
Summary: 5 Stars
The best word to describe this film is..... Powerful. This film makes "Menace to Society" look benevolent in comparison.
"Once Were Warriors" is a film that you are instantly bound to watch, simply because it presents a world that most people are not familiar with. I believe most Americans (me included) and others around the world have heard of the Maori - the native peoples of New Zealand. But how many can say that they have an idea of what kind of lives these people lead or what the modern day culture looks like. As far as I know, Lee Tamahori is one of the first directors to show us this culture, which many Americans will instantly compare with south central L.A. gang life and the decay of Native American reservation life.
The film's opening scene is very clever. We are shown a beautiful N.Z. countryside of what most of New Zealand must have looked like before British colonization. Then the camera pulls back to reveal that it is just a billboard in the middle of the urban insanity that we are all too familiar with - concrete highways. We are then introduced to an urban ghetto where hip-hop culture looks as though it has latched on to Maori youth and bar brawling and 40 ounces are all that the rest seem to live for. Among the latter group is Jake Heke, a macho abusive drunk living with a wife to whom he shows no respect and five kids that he couldn't care less about. There are many qualities to this film and one being the characters. The local actors are superbly cast, their performances strong and complimentary. Rena Owen's performance in the film is one of the Best I have ever seen. She is powerfully convincing as the mother who strives to hold her family together. Her inner strength in the role makes the film so spellbinding. The film also boasts an infectious soundtrack of reggae-tinged pop/rock which effectively underscores the psychological tension throughout.
Lee Tamahori did a great job directing this. Viewers should be warned that there are disturbing scenes of violence against the female characters. However you should not avoid the film because of this. In the end, it can be seen as an inspirational story of how inner strength and love can overcome. Being that this film was also recommended to me, I highly recommend this film as well.
Movie Review: Moving but disturbing story of a urban Maori family
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first watched Once Were Warriors I had no idea of what to except. From the jacket I knew it was drama that centered around the lives of a urban Maori family living in Aukland, New Zealand. Being that I am an American fasinated with American urban life I decided to give Once Were Warriors a try. I am gratified with the end result but also shocked by many of the depictions. Life for a Maori seems plagued with many of the ills that you find in urban areas in most metropolitan or even smaller towns and cities in America.
From my reserch I understand that Once Were Warriors was written by a Maori novelist that grew up in a neighboorhood similar in Wellington. I cannot judge on how realistic his depictions are but he definately does present a very engaging story.
The film made me feel the emotions of every single member of the Heike clan. Ultimately, I felt sympathy for all the characters including Jake. Jake was a tragic figure that was a loveable monster. Of all the characters, I felt the most sympathy for Grace who had an ambition to make it out of her surrounding a be more. I will not spoil the movie but say that what happens to Grace literally turned my stomach in disgust. Just for the initial reaction shows how power this film is and why exactly it deserves a 5 star rating.
Just a note: I would like to see more movies done about the Maori people that showcase also the indigenous culture and spirtual traditions of the Maori. Once Were Warriors was nice but I would like also some other kind of Maori films as well.
Movie Review: Kiwi klearing up some things
Summary: 5 Stars
As you can see from my rating, I also feel that this is an excellent movie. I just wanted to clear up one fact from a previous review so as to give two excellent Maori actors their dues. Temuera Morrison played Jake "the Muss" Heke in OWW. Ironically, it was this critically acclaimed performance which brought him to the attention of Hollywood where he was later to play alongside Pamela Anderson in "Barbed Wire", Marlon Brando in "The Island of Dr. Moreau", he was also a main character in "Speed 2" and more recently as Jango Fett in the Star Wars prequels.
Not to take away from Tem's incredible performance in OWW, but the contrast of the "somewhat soft son in 'Whale Rider'", doesn't work because that part was played by another talented Maori actor - Cliff Curtis. He also had a role in OWW; that of Uncle Bully. His performance has also led to a career in Hollywood playing various minorities - the drug dealing hispanic in "Bringing Out the Dead", the Central American terrorist in "Collateral Damage", and plenty of Middle Eastern characters ("Three Kings", "The Majestic", etc.)
It's a pity that a wider audience isn't given the opportunity to see these guys in roles that really showcase their acting chops. Still, at least they have careers (such as they are). There are plenty of talented actors out there whose closest shot at fame has been being a waiter in Hollywood.
Movie Review: Gripping reality that punches you in the face.
Summary: 5 Stars
It doesn't matter which culture one comes from, this powerful movie hits home with it's viciousness, honesty, and a message that demands the attention of the human spirit. It's been well documented that this tale deals with abuse, alcoholism, social, and moral dilemas; but the truth of the matter is that the big picture is more about what a person; in this case the wife of an abuser has to do to reclaim his or her dignity when, through a series of well intentioned motives, finds that life has spiraled to a point where you're faced with your own values being tested to the limit. When does a person really have enough? What does it take to get you to that place? And finally, what does it take to have the courage to make the changes necessary? I work in a treatment centre for addictions, and women's programs, and the bottom line is that everyone has to hit their own bottom to see that the life they're living is not what they expected, or want. The next step is change, and that takes courage. In this movie, the "final straw" is extreme, but make no mistake, it is a reality that happens to people everyday in this world. The producers deserve full credit for bringing this message home in a fashion that speaks to anyone with the courage to watch this to the end. This is not "over-done", it is real. A priceless movie that everyone should watch a least once in their lives.Movie Review: Gritty, realistic, fantastic acting, a film you will never forget
Summary: 5 Stars
When this movie came out my younger brother went to see it and came back in awe -he said the entire theatre were crying at one part of the movie. I rushed off to see the film and have seen it several times since, it really is excellent.
As a New Zealander I can say this movie is a real depiction of the lives of some families in New Zealand. The actors are brilliant, many are familiar to me from local TV and films, but in this movie any preconceptions about the actors are brushed aside -they play their parts so well and so powerfully. Rena Owen (who plays the mother Beth "Fry-your-own-f'n-eggs" Heke) even took it to real life, a year after the film came out she was convicted and discharged for clubbing someone on the head with a pool cue at her local pub!
The violence, both at home and at the pub; the sexual abuse, the beatings and gang depictions -it all adds up to what could be a very depressing movie. But there is mercifully light at the end of the tunnel.
A must-watch film, keep your tissues handy though!