Whale Rider

Written and directed by Niki Caro
adapted from the novel by Witi Ihimaera

            Movies can introduce audiences to cultures they otherwise would never get to see.  Thanks to the increased accessibility to and decreased prejudice towards foreign peoples through their own voice.  Whale Rider does not introduce Maori people to the world but writer-director Niki Caro, in adapting the novel by Witi Ihimaera, tells of unseen tradition and mythology centered on but not about the legend of Paikea, the Whale Rider, who 1000 years ago came to New Zealand and sired the Maori.

            The chief of a small coastal village is believed to be a direct descendent of Paikea and with each generation the first born continues the lineage.  Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) the latest heir fathers twins, a boy and a girl.  When his wife and son die in childbirth, he flees New Zealand and his daughter Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes).  She is brought up by her grandfather, the village chief Koro (Rawiri Paratene), who loves her yet cannot accept her as his heir.  He begins to train a group of young boys in the hopes of finding another worthy beneficiary.  Meanwhile, Pai trains on her own against Koro’s wishes.

            The empowerment and underdog struggle can both be found within the story of Pai, but this film is not akin to Hollywood films about characters overcoming their goals.  It reminded me of Billy Elliot in its honesty and beauty to just lay out a story without too many clichés of film narrative.  While learning to fight with a sort of staff, behind Koro’s back, there are no training montages.  There are no forced or manipulative feel good moments. 

            The plot is nothing new, but it is one adapted into a new way.  Using Shakespeare and messianic folklore as a model, Caro delivers quite successfully that which The Matrix films attempted with so much more wasted money.  Whale Rider may not make as much money but it definitely touches more people with close attention to people rather than effects.  Young star Keisha Castle-Hughes is a pure joy to watch.  She blends in with the adult performers with accomplished perfection considering her age.  Her next credit will be the third installment of Star Wars prequels and it will be a total shame if she is corrupted by such a production.  

            I loved Whale Rider and am sure that I would have felt the same when I was young.  The best family films are those which are appropriate for children on one level but never ignoring the hard realism needed to gain their respect once they are older.  When I look back on a movie I enjoyed as a kid and realize how dumb it was, I get furious.  There is never reason to make people think they were less intelligent in the past.  Instead, people need to understand they just have altered perspectives and more knowledge.  This is something different altogether.   Whale Rider appreciates and respects children and adults alike and I wish that I could have grown up with it myself.