Rating: 
Summary: Not a feel good movie
Review: but "once were warriors" will keep you enthralled with it's powerhouse performances and it's stark reality. Watching this is like watching real life, which in this case, is a very sad life indeed.
Enter Jake, a violent, manipulative (fill in the blank)that has his family's fate controlled by his behavior. He beats his wife to a bloody pulp. He drinks his days away after being laid off, and money appears in his hands from out of nowhere. This is not exactly the "father of the year" nor "husband of the year" for that matter. His wife, along with the rest of the women in the story start off seeming submissive but by the end things change, for the worst in one way. But in another, it is good. The wife finally takes her survival tactics and her fierce determination for a better life for both her and her children, and leaves her husband. They go home to her tribe/family known as Maori, who were once warriors...
I recommend it, but get out the tissues. It's a real sad look into the lives of a family living with an abusive and downright mean patriarch.
Rating: 
Summary: It is not as good , as important !
Review: No good end . No hard fillings . Just real life . Not in here ... but who cares ? A regular woman trying to survive in real life . Not easy , with 4 kids behind her ! Her husband is one of this guys , who knows everything ... but he knows nothing . The struggle... hope ... love ... CHOICE ?! She made it at the end . I hope , the right one . Watch it - you'll deside .
Highly recomended !
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably Powerful
Review: Whew. What a movie. Every time you think you've been overwhelmed as much as you could possibly be, the story is cranked up another notch.Beautiful, sorrowful, soulful Rena Owens plays Beth Heke, a Maori woman involved in an incredibly destructive marriage. Her brutal husband is Jake Heke, a terrifying, musclebound behemoth who may be the only person I've ever seen who could out-shout Andy Garcia and Al Pacino at once. I have heard that the actor who plays Jake, Temuera Morrison, is actually a beloved figure in the world of New Zealand stage and screen. I almost wish he had stuck to less violent roles -- it's difficult to get the frightening character of Jake out of your head, once you've seen him in action. Jake is given to outbursts of extreme violence, driven by small-minded fear, and small-souled jealousy. Beth knows she should break away from the horror of her marriage, but has great trouble in doing so. As the film moves along, we come to see that the futures, (indeed, the very lives), of her children may hang in the balance. Can she break free of Jake in time? This movie will stay with you for years. It takes a violent route to make it's point, but it ultimately has an empowering message. I would recommend this to anyone interested in helping battered women in general, or simply interested in the lives of the Maori people. it's incredibly, amazingly powerful. You'll never forget it, even though sometimes you might wish that you could. Definitely, definitely two thumbs up.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Film!!!
Review: Considering the millions of dollars that are poured into Hollywood films these days its amazing that a film that couldn't have cost much to make, has such an incredible impact. Once Were Warriors relies on emotion and very human situations and not special effects to hold your attention;and does it hold it. I've never seen a movie that at times can be so disturbing but at others so uplifting. What makes this movie special to me is the way the family goes through such tragedy and how they pull together, especially the mother who finally has the strength to get away from the destructive forces in her and her childrens lives. This is a movie that you will think about for days afterward and if you can get through the ugly parts it is truly a great film.
Rating:
Summary: Great, disturbing movie
Review: I haven't enjoyed a movie this much in a long time. Not only did it give me insight into a culture rarely heard or filmed about, but it more showed me that basically we all have the same problems, no matter where you are from.
Rating:
Summary: Raw and Powerful
Review: This film is a stunner.Not for all tastes however.It's on my 10 best of all time list.I rented the tape about 6 or 7 years ago,sight unseen,knew only what the copy read on the box.Man oh man.It left me speechless and in tears,kinda numb and buzzing to the killer music as the credits rolled.Disney,this ain't.. but if hyper real and honest film making about a serious subject is your thing..do not miss this one!Would like to thank a previous reviewer for the VERY useful information on how to purchase a good quality DVD pressing.I'll bet it helped their sales.I had to wait awhile as they were on backorder but well worth the wait.This Canadian DVD is superior to the Criterion Laser Disc.I'm delighted.A and B Sound in Vancouver,B.C.
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: This movie was great. Jake was the bad guy that you wanted to have sympathy for. But everytime you did he would screw up. Great drama in dealing with the lower class society problems. Beth is a strong woman trying to raise her family right but always has unbearable obstacles. the intensity of this movie is awsome. Worth every penny to own this movie so that I can watch it over and over
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Kiwi movie
Review: Being an American living in New Zealand I saw this movie before I moved here and loved it, but now that I live here I love this movie even more. It is an excellant portrayal of the lives of a Maori family and the troubles they face. Highly recomended along with the sequel What Becomes the Broken Hearted
Rating:
Summary: Domestic Violence illustrated
Review: While much of the tribal allegory was lost on me as I am not familar with the New Zealand social environment, I was directed to this film by a friend who acts as a counselor for men who abuse their families. I noted that the alien nature of this film, the social aspects being slightly different, the language (It's choice, really choice.) might help American men to reflect on the film's domestic violence more readily. My councelor friend said this is exactly what happens. They feel the film is distant from themselves, so they begin to analyze what is happening. The counselor can then draw parallels between their statements and their realities.
One comment the men have is that the main character "beats his wife as you would a man." The film features a bar brawl scene followed by a domestic violence scene. The men in counseling comment that a woman should not be hit with fists, but with an open hand if she is hit. The counselor is then able to point out the conflict in what the men have just said. A woman should NOT BE HIT at ALL!!!
Moreover, this movie is not particularly realistic, because the woman is a strong character, stands up to her husband and eventually leaves him. Which is not really the norm for American domestic violence. It is, nonetheless, an effective instrument of inspiring discussion among people who are involved in domestic violence and/or dysfunctional families.
Rating:
Summary: Scared the s out of me.
Review: Owen (female lead) makes me wonder, "Why is that no-talent hack Julia Roberts snatching up all those oscars?" How did she get to be cast in that gawd-awful made-for-tv movie about Mary Kay Latourneau? But she was great in that, too. Everyone in this cast was brilliant and indeed, this film deserves much kudos. Violent, brutal, sensual, and uncompromising. And it's got one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
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