Once Were Warriors (1994) [Repost]

I don't know where to start. When I'm asked of my favorite movie ever, this is ALWAYS the first to come to mind. This is one of the finest movies I've ever seen, and I've seen too many to count.

Once Were Warriors is, at its most stripped, about a woman named Beth and her struggle to just do what's best for her family. She is of Maori heritage, New Zealand's sort of Native Americans. Culture is a proud and powerful aspect of the movie, as Beth's strengths lie in her devotion to her family and her heritage. But that is little comfort, as her daughter is struggling to accept adulthood, her youngest son is heading towards juvenile detention, and her oldest son is fast on his way to joining a brutal gang. Worst of all, her husband Jake is a heavy drinker.

The film excels at painting everybody in full 3 dimensions. Each of her kids are troubled, but they all have fierce love and respect for their mother. The gang is cruel to the oldest son, but at the same time embraces him. The juvenile detention center separates the youngest son from his only home, but instills in him a pride in his ancestry. And Jake himself is a beast, a man built like a tank who will destroy you with anything available should you spill his beer…but somehow he also comes across as loving Beth. Sometimes.

The film follows Beth as she does her best to hold the family together even while the various problems tear them apart. At the center is Jake's drinking and further carelessness of his family's dissipation. While Beth's answer is to nurture and aid her children, Jake insists it's best to drink away the problems and quit being so "soft" on the kids. And we watch, through it all, as the family spirals further apart. Near the end, after seeing both happy and horrible things happen to each of the characters, we are jarred by a terrible tragedy. Beth and Jake both deal with it uniquely, as she draws once again on the tremendous power of family and human spirit, while Jake deals with it his own way. The last 15 minutes of the film keep us in suspense as we wonder whether a certain horrible injustice will be confronted, and if so, how. This scenario involves and encapsulates everyone in the family, and who they are inside.

The last few moments of the movie made me want to jump to my feet and applaud. I won't reveal what happens, but in the last 5 minutes, every person shows so much inner strength that I glow with admiration for their actions. Especially those of Beth and her oldest son, whose interaction with Jake results in my favorite scene in the movie. But don't think you know what's going to happen based on this description -it's a complicated scenario. I felt satisfied with the conclusion on all fronts, and thought that each character showed exactly where their strength lies.

Be forewarned that this movie is very heartbreaking. Its overall tone is one of futility, of better lives not received, of wanting the best but never quite getting it. It is very raw and intense in its portrayal of physical and domestic violence, and the easily upset may have a hard time waiting to see if it ends happily enough for their tastes. But no matter what your opinion is, it will definitely be a film that stays with you for a long, long time. My highest recommendation.

IMDB Reviewer,
120 out of 124 people found this review useful

Once Were Warriors isn't a fun movie by any stretch of the imagination. Violence and anger are at the core of this powerful film, which doesn't shy away from showing the domestic abuse in all of its potent rage.

The story revolves around Beth and Jake Heke (Rena Owen and Temuera Morrison) who, to outsiders at least, have seem to have a wonderful life—five healthy kids and plenty of friends and laughter. But Jake is a very angry man and physically takes this negative energy out on his wife. In one very telling scene, Jake literally pummels and rapes his wife while his children huddle together upstairs, trying not to be heard.

Unlike many films that center around domestic abuse, the relationships work in Once Were Warriors because we get a chance to understand the family dynamics. We see that Jake and Beth love each other and that they want to do right for their kids. But Jake's drinking and inevitable violence pushes them away, yet his sincerity when he's sober manages to bring them back. This seems real. It's believable. Which makes the events that much more upsetting and painful.

The parents aren't the only ones with problems, however, which adds another layer to this film. Each of the kids play a key role here. For example, Grace (Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell), the oldest daughter, carries around her anger but writes down her sorrows and is trying to better herself through education. The oldest son, Nig (Julian Arahanga) finds friends in a street gang. Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) is forced to live in a foster home, where he learns to find his strength inside himself. Their Maori ancestors were warriors, but as it turns out, all of them are still warriors in their own way.

The performances in this film are sensational all around, which is why this film works. Each character plays a key role, and the choices they make add to this powerful drama. It's a cold, hard look at reality that many want to turn away from, but it's also a film that cannot be ignored.

Once Were Warriors gets the DVD treatment it deserves. It's a great film that now has a great transfer. Fans who have the Canadian release will definitely want to get this upgrade. I'm not sure the film warrants a blind purchase because many might be turned off by the subject matter. However, it's an important film and a great DVD, so I must highly recommend this one.

DVDtalk

Special Features:
- Audio commentary by director Lee Tamahori
- "Behind the Scenes" featurette (6:30)
- "Tattoo" photo gallery with audio commentary by director Lee Tamahori
- Original theatrical trailer (with optional audio commentary by director Lee Tamahori)
- US theatrical trailer (with optional audio commentary by director Lee Tamahori)
- Bonus trailers for "The Ballad of Little Jo", "Death and the Maiden" and "Bitter Moon"