Whale Rider Review

The film starts with the death of a young mother during the birth of twins. The boy twin dies, the girl survives. The distraught father Porourangi, Cliff Curtis, takes off for foreign parts leaving his daughter in the care of his father, the chief Koro, Rawiri Paratene. As the young girl Pai, Keisha Castle-Hughes, grows she seems deeply connected to the traditions of her culture. Unfortunately Koro can?t see beyond the fact that she?s a girl. He needs a male to lead his people in the future and can?t forgive his son for abandoning his responsibilities. Pai tries to please her grandfather and can?t really understand why he?s so hard on her. This absolutely charming film began life when the Maori writer Witi Ihimaera was living in New York and a whale became stranded in the Hudson River. This took him back to his childhood and the whale stories of his people who, according to legend are descendants of the Whale Rider. There are some amazing scenes in the film with whales stranded on a beach and with Pai actually riding one. Niki Caro has directed this uplifting story with great sensitivity, eliciting affecting performances from a sterling cast, and a wonderful one from newcomer Keisha Castle- Hughes. It?s not surprising that this film has such a good connection with audiences.Comments by David StrattonA refreshingly natural performance from 11-year-old Keisha Castle-Hughes is the centerpiece of this feel-good movie which, though it's predictable enough, really touches the heart. There's a beautiful feeling for this isolated Maori community as it goes through a time of change.