Once Were Warriors

Lee Tamahori’s directorial debut, Once Were Warriors follows a New Zealand family as they attempt to cope with almost extreme poverty and a violent, abusive father (Temuera Morrison’s Jake). It’s clear almost immediately that Once Were Warriors‘ greatest asset is Morrison, as the actor delivers a commanding and absolutely engrossing performance that remains a highlight from beginning to end – with Morrison’s unexpectedly strong work here matched, to a certain degree, by a strong supporting cast that includes Cliff Curtis and, playing Jake’s increasingly fed-up wife, Rena Owen. The film isn’t, ultimately, quite able to reach the heights attained by its star, as the domestic-drama atmosphere, coupled with a decidedly deliberate pace, paves the way for a hit-and-miss vibe that’s especially prominent during the sluggish midsection. There’s little doubt, however, that the movie’s searing look at the central family’s less-than-savory existence keeps things interesting throughout, while the impressively powerful third act ensures that Once Were Warriors ends on an electrifying and thoroughly memorable note – which, in the final analysis, ensures that the movie remains a cogent foreign import more than two decades after its original release.

*** out of ****