Film Review: Whale Rider

 A small Maori village faces a crisis when the heir to the leadership of the Ngati Konohi dies at birth and is survived only by his twin sister, Pai. Although disregarded by her grandfather and shunned by the village people, twelve-year-old Pai remains certain of her calling and trains herself in the ways and customs of her people. With remarkable grace, Pai finds the strength to challenge her family and embraces a thousand years of tradition in order to fulfill her destiny.

Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Cliff Curtis

Directed by: Niki Caro

Runtime: 101 minutes

Studio: Lions Gate

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Review: Whale Rider 

I spent two weeks in New Zealand in 2008 and my time in the Maori center of Rotorua was one of my favourites. Niki Caro’s moving drama explores Maori tradition in one coastal village where the chief Koro (Rawiri Paratene) is awaiting the birth of his grandson. His son, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis), is left devastated when his wife gives birth to twins – a boy and a girl – but both his wife and son die. The surviving girl is named Paikea after the Maori that first came to the land on the back of a whale. Koro is dismissive of his granddaughter and does not want her to take such a great name. In the Maori tradition the title of chief passes to the first born son and Koro’s hopes are for his son to marry again and father a boy so the line is not broken.

The film moves on more than a decade with 12 year old Paikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) having now formed a close bond with her grandfather. When Porourangi returns from traveling in Europe he reveals he has no interest in becoming the next leader and that he has fallen in love with a German girl who is pregnant with his child. Paikea, devoted to her grandfather, chooses not to return to Europe with her father but wishes to make Koro proud by becoming the next leader. Bound by traditions, Koro dismisses his granddaughter and looks amongst the boys in the village for the next candidate to be chief. Paikea goes against tradition to prove Koro wrong and though her grandfather begins to resent her she is determined more than ever to succeed.

Whale Rider is a beautifully simple story of family and tradition and how the world is always changing. Castle-Hughes won rave reviews for her performance and was deservedly nominated for an Oscar. From start to finish she is fantastic as Paikea with more than one moment likely to leave many with tears in their eyes. Paratene is great as the stubborn grandfather though you will despise him for the harsh way he treats his grandfather and how he is reluctant to go against Maori tradition to acknowledge her strength and spirit. There are many poignant scenes in the film but the end thankfully has some uplifting moments.

Whale Rider is a wonderfully filmed and finely acted family drama with an unforgettable central performance from Castle-Hughes. Though Maori culture seems so very different to what I have known in the UK, many aspects of family and the reluctance to spurn tradition in favour of a modern and changing world still ring true. This heartfelt story of one girl’s triumph over adversity is destined to be one that will be remembered for years to come.

Verdict: 5/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)