Once Were Warriors [IMPORT]

Rating:
Summary: Might as well add MY five stars
Review: This is one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. It's a spectacular movie about terrible situations and their outcomes. Temuera Morrison is so good at being bad, I still hiss when I see him in other roles (Six Days and Seven Nights, Speed 2). Rena Owen was robbed of an Oscar... Yes, it's about alcoholism, physical and sexual abuse, poverty, drugs, crime... But that speech at the end, and virtually every scene building to that point make this one of the best movies of all time. How about eight stars on a five-star scale?

Rating:
Summary: Powerful, violent
Review: I've seen this film several times now -- first in New Zealand (when it was released), then, in the U.S. on different occasions with Americans. Every time it was powerful, and shocking in its realistic depiction of domestic violence. The movie's opening shot reinforces its irony -- New Zealand, known for its pastoralism, friendly people and clean living, does have a darker side.

However, I take offence at the Sydney-sider's racist comments (from January). This is in no way typical of Maori and Pacific Islanders. It does depict one reality among many ... but I also know plenty of Pakeha (European) New Zealanders (and Aussies) whose lifestyle is similar to that depicted. </rant>

Rating:
Summary: Excellence
Review: I first saw this movie about 2 years ago and it still haunts me. It would occasionally come on the independent film channel and I would stop whatever I was doing to watch it. It is a serious drama about domestic abuse and alcoholism that challenges a Maori family. It is depressing, but very real and true. I would recommend this highly. The plot will stay with you and you will find yourself thinking about it again and again.

Rating:
Summary: This movie is amazing.
Review: This movie is very difficult to watch, but totally worth it. I saw it several years ago and still can't forget it. Not many people have seen it, but you should! It was a great experience.

Rating:
Summary: powerful and touching
Review: i first saw this film while living in new zealand, and it has since remained one of my favorites. although it includes alot of new zealand cultural traits, it is a universal story of domestic violence and hardship. it may sound depressing, but this powerful movie is uniquely touching. GO SEE IT!!!

Rating:
Summary: real
Review: This movie shows the trueness of family in good and bad times. How blood is thicker than water. A must see

Rating:
Summary: What Can I say!
Review: This is just typical of the Maori/Pacific Islander behaviour. But we should all remember that two generations they where cannibals. So this is in some strange way an improvement in their barbaric ways. Lets only hope that next century they also learn how to speak in a way that is somewhat civilised!

Rating:
Summary: A powerful, moving, incredibly realistic film.
Review: This is an amazing film which gives the viewer a wrenching glimpse into the life of a family living with domestic violence. Superb acting & plot make this film astoundingly realistic. I cannot recommend this film strongly enough. It provides such insight. It should be watched more than once to really absorb all the meaning. Words cannot do justice to this cinematic experience. But be prepared. . .it will touch you in ways & places that you may not have been touched before.

Rating:
Summary: Film Of The Century!
Review: Without discussing the content of this film, suffice it to say that the acting is absolutely phenomenal! The male and female leads are enormously talented!It's real ,it's raw, and I think that is the best example of acting that I have ever seen

Rating:
Summary: Superb acting and a point well made
Review: It isn't hard to see why this movie garnered so many kudos after its release. The acting is superb. (Note: Temeura Morrison later stated that he was "scarred" for quite a while emotionally and mentally after playing Jake.) The unexcelled acting in AND the directing of this film, in this viewer's opinion, show the exact nature of family violence more clearly than other presentation in any media ever has. At first I was unwilling to see another film dealing with the subject, especially since I the results of domestic violence almost daily on my job. Now I say that if you watch only one film on the matter in your life, make it this one. For an American viewer, the fact that all the action takes place in Auckland, New Zealand helps give the distance needed for an honest perspective on the theme. Then the highly skilled actors (may we see more of all of them!)play the story out as it happens to thousands of families all over the world, totally stripping domestic violence of any excuse to be. By the heart-rending and horrific end of the movie there can be no doubt in anyone's mind that neither substance abuse, cultural conditioning, disenfranchised cultures, poverty nor a host of other things often invoked as "reasons" justify turning one's household into a war zone. Most family violence perpetrators are not hardcore psychopaths; they are "Jakes", and they have no excuse for what they do to their families. A beautiful film that makes its point without resulting to melodrama and sensationalism. It's a credit to all involved with the production that we look in on the lives of one family in crisis and realize, knowing that this scene is repeated thousands of time daily worldwide, the ultimate devastation brought about by "routine" family violence. A brilliant presentation. A "must see."