Whale Rider (2002)
…………………………………………………
Whale Rider Movie Review
Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand family drama film directed by Niki Caro and starring Keisha Castle-Hughes. It’s a very endearing, wonderful flick.
………………………………………………….
“My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line
of chiefs stretching all the way back to the whale rider.
I’m not a prophet, but I know that our people will keep going forward,
all together, with all of our strength“
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
It follows a young Maori girl aspiring to become the next chef of the tribe, but her grandfather isn’t willing to let her become a chief owing to his sexist prejudices and outdated beliefs about women. Obviously, this is a very safe and familiar movie in terms of its plot and structure. Nothing here was ever unpredictable nor particularly exciting. And that bothered me and was the major reason why I never found this movie to be as great as it could have been. Its handling of sexism is also unremarkably on-the-nose and unsubtle.
However, it’s still a good film owing to its otherwise highly competent execution and a very charming story and likable characters. Also, some scenes, especially the subtle conversational scenes as well as those beautiful whale sequences, are really something special. The movie has its very heartwarming, intimate moments that make it really stand out and elevate the material.
It’s also stupendously acted across the board with everyone doing a good job, but in particular Keisha Castle-Hughes really stands out. She was at that time the youngest ever female to be nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award and she most definitely deserved it as her performance here is so touching, subtle, grounded in reality and impressively competent for a child. She deserves major kudos for being so likable and realistic here.
Her character is also highly endearing and I loved her grandmother and father too. As for the grandfather, he’s your typical traditional man in this type of movie who doesn’t want the old ways to die off to the detriment of his family and his own granddaughter. But he’s still very well acted and portrayed that I didn’t mind his familiarity too much.
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
Whale Rider is gorgeously shot and I loved that it was filmed on Whangara as that led to the major authentic feel of the picture. It’s well paced, very well directed by Niki Caro, well written in dialogue and quite moving emotionally. I just wish it had more of those whale and ocean sequences as in the adventure department of the movie was lacking.
Whale Rider is certainly nothing new in terms of its predictable, not particularly subtle storyline, but it’s still very effective owing to the overall competent execution, direction and the fact that it was shot on real location led to its much needed authenticity. It’s also a very moving, endearing film which is beautifully acted by young, deservedly Oscar-nominated Keisha Castle-Hughes.
