Once Were Warriors

Rating:
Summary: See the Star Wars star's first big role
Review: I suspect many Americans/Europeans will only discover this film because of Temuera Morrison's role as Jango Fett in "Star Wars II - Attack of the Clones". But I'm happy for that, as this is, without a doubt, one of the FINEST FILMS EVER MADE. Now that's a bold claim, but I'll stand by it. It's not fun or "enjoyable" (in the traditional sense), but it is an absolute masterpiece.

It's definitely not a "first date" movie, in fact one major newspaper called it "A relentless sledgehammer of a film". With its central themes of cultural displacement, domestic violence and the struggle for human dignity, the actors handle their incredibly difficult roles with the utmost skill. It was probably the film that put New Zealand on the global film-world map.

Several other reviews give an outline of the plot so let me just say this - you will never forget seeing it.

Rating:
Summary: Once were warriors - 1995
Review: Once were warriors deals with the many issues in the lives of many New Zealand Maori's, and a great portrail of the hardness of life in all cultures. Many issues such as unemployment, cultural lifestyles, alcohol, domestic violence, rape, street gang involvement, fighting and family breakup, to name a few, are presented within the movie and each member of Jake 'the muss' family deal with many of the above issues that are so predominate in families today. The portrail, while may be seen by some as too graphic, is an honest illustration of many working class families, and many that are in between survival and poverty. Many movies such as this one, which are produced in Australia and New Zealand, are far better than American movies as the states movies are not realistic in the sense that they portray their plastic cultural image and their worship of the allmighty dollar is ever too apparent in the quality. If you want a movie that is as real as you can get in the sense of acting, family issues and story line, and that will keep your attention mainly for realism, than Once were Warriors is a film worth viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Just sucks you in...
Review: ... and won't let you go. Really amazing story with people you really care for.

Rating:
Summary: Story For An International Audience
Review: I fell deeply sorry for anyone who must put up with whats sounds like an absolutely terrible DVD transfer of the film. If anyone comes to New Zealand, you can pick up a perfect widescreen, 5.1 Dolby Digital version with features such as cast interviews, music videos, trailers, Director's commentry and no annoying subtitles. Once Were Warriors tells a story that can be translated into any language yet have the same impact. Domestic violence is the topic of this brutal film from acclaimed New Zealand director Lee Tamahori. Considering I come from New Zealand myself, I can not get the point across strongly enough that New Zealand is a beautiful country and the scenes in the film only portrayed a small portion of how NZ was in 1995 when the movie was set. For a real view on how my country is, take a look at the scenery of 'The Lord Of The Rings' from another visionary NZ director, Peter Jackson.
Once Were Warriors follows a Maori family living at the bottom of the economic pool. There is Beth, the mother of four children. The eldest son Nick, has become estranged from the family and joined a gang because of his hatred for his abusive father, Jake. Next is the smart and beautiful 13 year old Grace stuck in a life that is far from fit for her. Mark, the second eldest boy has made friends with local thieves and spends most of his time on the streets, so he gets sent off to Social Welfare. The youngest boy gets the least screen time of the children.
Temuera Morrison's portrayal of 'Jake the Muss' is done with fire in his eyes. Originally it was believed that he was not right for the part, but he proved them wrong. His acting and Rena Owen's (Beth) pushed the boundaries of acting and reality. The film came away with 12 International Awards. To tell you the truth, it should be been given Oscars. Another star who should not go without credit is Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell who plays Grace. She did an amazing job for her first acting role.
Well worth buying this film. It will shock you no matter how many times it is viewed, but in a good way that makes you think. >Enjoy<

Rating:
Summary: The best film of 1994
Review: ONCE WERE WARRIORS is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. Released at a time when NZ films weren't widely accepted, yet when audiences saw it ... they changed their minds. This was the most talked about film in Australia in 1994. It's one of those rare movies that made me cry.

Incredible performances from both male and female leads which contribute to the powerfulness of this film. The sequel from 1998 called "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" is worth seeing, but not a patch on ONCE WERE WARRIORS.

Buy it, rent it, or whatever ... just get yourself a copy. You must have this DVD in your collection.

Rating:
Summary: Tough, Gritty and Emotional. Do Not Miss This Powerful Film!
Review: I've just had the opportunity of witnessing this film for the very first time and now understand why it received the great reviews that it has---especially in reference to the performances of Tem Morrison and Rena Owen. Two beautiful and magnetic performers who breathe life and great depth into the troubled world of Jake and Beth Heke. This is one of those rare gems of a movie one usually discovers only through word of mouth as it contrasts greatly from the sort of tripe that Hollywood churns out every summer that's meant to appeal to teenagers and separate them from their hard earned cash working lousy summer jobs.

I was amazed in observing that, although the story centers on the cultural loss and disenfranchisement of a Maori family living in the slums of Auckland, New Zealand, anyone can quickly identify with its universal themes of domestic abuse, hoplessness and the consequences of what can happen when a community becomes a victim of ill conceived "social welfare" programs and the vicious circle of dependency that accompanies it.

The opening scene is priceless and unforgettable as director Lee Tamahori stamps an indelible impression of a beautiful, picturesque backdrop of New Zealand that tourists usually see in travel guides--only to have the camera gradually pull away to reveal that the scenic natural beauty is only a billboard set high above a noisy freeway amidst the slums of South Auckland. This is just the beginning as the story proceeds to take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride that doesn't let up on your senses.

The film also features a great supporting cast as well, most notably, from Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell who gives a touching and poignant performance as young Grace Heke, the family's one shining light amidst all the darkness that covers their lives. Her portrayal makes you want to reach out to the screen and ultimately help and save this young soul---that's how affecting her performance was. Why isn't Mamaengaroa an international star by now? Also, the amazing Cliff Curtis who can play so many diverse characters has a short, but crucial role in the movie.

While the very uplifting and highly enjoyable film Whale Rider shows you one aspect of Maori life, Once Were Warriors brings you the unflinching and graphic urban realism of the other. Run, don't walk to your nearest video store and buy this movie. It's that good!

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: Once Were Warriors, although disturbing and disheartening is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It's too bad that it is known only to a select group of people or I'm sure many more would be in agreement. This powerful movie is highly suggested!

Rating:
Summary: Gritty, violent, and..hopeful
Review: Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen head up a miraculously talented cast in "Once Were Warriors." A drama about Maori New Zealanders living in public housing and in poverty, the story is about a family in dire need.

Jake, played by Morrison, is a violent drunk, husband of Beth, who left her village to marry him, much to the disapproval of her family. Her children watch as she's brutalized, and ultimately, they pay the price for their mother's denial about their situation. It's a very realistic portrayal of the entrapment of battered women. Though it looks as if all might be lost, there is hope at the end.

This is a low-budget production, but the acting is absolutely flawless. Another great film from New Zealand about New Zealand ("Whale Rider") and well worth seeing, though it can be disturbing.

Rating:
Summary: Bone jarring, but cathartic.
Review: I just finished watching this not a half hour ago, and my reaction, after just sitting and looking at the blank screen for 10 minutes, was to want to talk to someone about the movie, but I don't think anyone in my circle has seen it . . . yet. I'm going to start passing my copy around. So, instead of talking to my friends I'm writing to you. I am so worn out (in a good sense--if you've seen the movie, you'll know exactly how I feel) that all I can do is add my feeble "amen" to everyone below who have so eloquently praised this gem. It's like nothing you've seen, but I agree that you will know the characters--they are all around you. And they are you.
Cheers,
Bob

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes you have to wear your Taiaha inside
Review: Graphic violence, in movies such as 'Once Were Warriors' and Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange', is not gratuitous. Violence in art does serve a purpose: to educate, to shock, to raise awareness and to repulse.

In this screen adaptation of Alan Duff's novel of the same title, the pub brawls, wife beatings and gang fights serve to drive home one point: Violence exists in society, and violence kills and destroys. Violence is not glamorous, but a sign that rot has set in within a family or community. The violent scenes in 'Once Were Warriors' is terrifying, raw and difficult to stomach because we know it can happen anywhere in the world, and it does happen, in our own communities and backyards.

'Once Were Warriors' revolves around a Maori family, Jake and Beth being the parents of five children. As with almost all groups that is low on the socioeconomic scale, alcoholism and domestic violence is a problem. Limited educational and job opportunities are not problems faced exclusively by the Maori but also all marginalized communities. Even reverse discrimination policies have failed to ensure equal treatment and respect for the minorities. Alcoholism becomes a problem for men when, by virtue of being treated as second-class citizens, their self-esteem and sense of cultural pride are repeatedly destroyed.

For our central characters Jake and Beth, life is a struggle to survive from paycheck to paycheck. Jake is horrendously strong and masculine, but also self-absorbed, irresponsible and volatile. Beth, like many women without careers or sources of income of their own, alternates between feeling bitter over her helplessness to provide her children with a better life and feeling pride that she is the wife of the virile and strong Jake.

As every student of behaviorism and behavior training would know, abusive relationships feed on and are sustained by the abuse because the occasional positive reinforcement persuades the abused party that things are not always all that bad and things would be better soon (E.g. read Karen Pryor's behavioral training classic, 'Don't Shoot The Dog'). Jake's rare moments of generosity and tenderness towards Beth convinces her that she is better off living with him, and that leaving Jake would just leave her vulnerable to other problems and abuses. She is battered, then apologized to, then pacified by Jake with displays of affection and declarations of love. This is the reason why most domestic violence victims often take so long to seek external help: Their assumption is that the abuser genuinely loves them, but 'just has a problem with his temper' and the situation will improve 'once he finds a job/is out of debt/once they have a bit of money'.

We are presented with a violent scene where Jake beats up another man in a pub for playing the jukebox too loudly. We, the audience, gasp at his strength and lack of remorse. Later, we see Jake confronting Beth for talking back and refusing to do as she is told. Jake unleashes his fury on her, beating her so badly that she is unable to go to court the following morning for the hearing of her juvenile delinquent son, Boogie. We understand that Beth seems to have accepted the beatings as a normal part of relationships.

Of the Heke children, Nig, the eldest, has left home to join a gang. His gang initiation ceremony involves him being beaten up by about ten older gang members. Boogie, the second son, has been 'running around with the wrong crowd' and is soon placed in a juvenile detention center, where he learns self-discipline, self-respect, love and respect for his culture and 'to wear his taiaha inside' when he is angry. The taiaha imagery here is important as it can be interpreted as a symbol of Maori pride and courage.

Gracie, Jake and Beth's 13-year-old daughter, deserves better than the cesspool of a home she was brought up in. She is kind to the point of overwhelming magnanimity and nurturing to a fault, but her potential is stifled by lack of support and understanding from her parents. Still, Gracie shows the most promise of all the Heke children. Her untimely demise later in the film is a great source of sorrow and resentment for me.

A scene in the later part of the movie shows Jake refusing to hand over the keys to the car to Beth. Again, this is a powerful artistic device to let us see how helpless and trapped Beth is in her marriage to Jake. She can't leave even if she is determined to, she has nowhere to go and she can afford to only go home.

Despite the bleakness of all that has befallen the Heke family; the beatings sustained by Beth and Nig, Jake's revelation that he came 'from a long line of slaves' and was not considered good enough for Beth's family, the detention of Boogie and the rape and subsequent suicide of young Gracie, this movie does provide us with achingly beautiful glimpses into the New Zealand urban landscape and Maori culture. When the village elders performed the Haere Mai welcoming song to welcome Beth and her brood back into the folds of their close-knit community, I believe not many of us can help but feel emotional. Beth turns to her Maori roots to give her strength at a time when she needs it the most, and her people and culture do not forsake her but fortify her instead and help her walk away from the destructive forces that strive to break her spirit and tear her family apart.
The entire cast has given nothing but the best to make this movie the powerful social commentary that it is. The compelling performance by the cast enables us to empathize with the problems and predicaments faced by the Maori as well as so many other marginalized groups. 'Once Were Warriors' is essential watching to anyone who hopes to understand the problems connected with domestic violence, working class society and the effect of imposing a global monoculture on people who already have a culture and religion of their own. While I do not pretend that this movie is able to address all those issues exhaustively, it does help us see things from one family's perspective. And sometimes that's enough.