Review Copyright Cassandra Henry, 2003

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"My name is Paikea. I come from a long line of chiefs." -- Paikea CASS' CLIP (WARNING: **spoilers below**) A mythical legend -- Legend has it, that a thousand years ago, Paikea, the founding father of the Maori tribe went fishing and became lost at sea when his canoe capsized. When he was too weak to swim, it was said that Paikea rode on the back of a whale back to Whangara (a village on the eastern coast of New Zealand). Thereafter, tradition mandated that the chief's first-born son would be the tribe's next ruling chief. Legend, identity and destiny collide -- Before Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) was even born, her identity and destiny were tied together. Porourangi's (Cliff Curtis) relationship with his father, Koro (Rawiri Paratene), the tribe's current chief, is already strained because he wants to be an artist instead of following in Koro's footsteps and becoming the next tribal chief. The birth of a son/grandson, however, would keep the traditional chieftain bloodline alive. During a difficult childbirth, Porourangi's wife and twin son die. Porourangi is so distraught that he is unable to care for the surviving twin, a newborn daughter, who he names Paikea. Porourangi leaves Paikea (aka Pai) in the custody of his father and his mother, Nanny Flowers (Vicky Haughton). Koro is a traditionalist and resents that Pai was the surviving twin. He believes that Pai's birth may lead to his descendant's downfall. Yet, time has a way of healing some wounds, and twelve years later, Koro is a doting grandfather, but his devotion comes with a heavy price. Pai loves both her grandparents unconditionally, but especially idolizes Koro. Due to assimilation into the European culture, Koro feels that his people's customs are dying. He is at a crossroad because he must insure that the Maroian traditions are kept intact for the next generation. On the other hand, Pai is familiar with tribal legend and the significance of her name, and therefore, she also bears a heavy burden. Will Koro's unyielding conviction that men, not women, are the rightful heirs to become tribal chiefs, undermine the future of his family and tribe more than Pai's unflinching desire to claim her destiny? DA 411 Unlike How to Deal, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, or What A Girl Wants, Whale Rider is not your formulaic or typical coming-of-age movie. Writer-Director, Niki Caro, beautifully adapts Witi Ihimaera's novel, Whale Rider, into a wonderfully weaved cinematic story about family, culture, death, grief, abandonment, identity and destiny. Newcomer, Keisha Castle-Hughes', emotional characterization of Pai was fabulous and profoundly moving. When I think back to the scene where she delivers a tearful speech at a school play, I get choked up all over again. Her debut performance is better than some so-called seasoned actresses. As much as I wanted Rawiri Paratene to be bit a more compassionate and not be so rigid, he remained true to his character and was excellent as the obstinate grandfather. Vicky Haughton added the loving voice of a grandmother who knows how to heal old wounds, while subtly teaching an old chief the true meaning of leadership. Despite one Hollywoodish scene at the end, what makes Whale Rider more than an engaging story was its unhurried pace, the riveting performances by the ensemble cast depicting the unique Maori culture and traditions and the picturesque sea and landscape cinematography. Whale Rider has already won numerous audience awards from various international film festivals, including Rotterdam, Sundance, Toronto, Seattle and San Francisco. CASS' CONCLUSION Be sure to bring your Kleenex because Whale Rider is a MUST SEE FAMILY MOVIE! WHALE RIDER:   back to top Copyright Cassandra Henry, 2003 EMAIL: cass@3blackchicks.com