Her Majesty

`Her Majesty' is a New Zealand story for the whole family set in the '50's about a young girl's idealism and white racism against the Maoris. Elizabeth Wakefield (Sally Andrews) is a 13-year old royalist hell bent on meeting Queen Elizabeth. But before that can happen she must first go through the coming-of-age challenges of racist whites, angry Maoris, out-of-it parents, over-the-top cruel brother, unfaithful friends, handsome teacher, and scores of unanswered letters to the queen.

First-time film director Mark Jordan has caught the didactic spirit of `Whale Rider,' a New Zealand tale of 12–year-old Pai's struggle to become chief of her Maori people in the face of daunting sexism and tradition. As in that film, `Her Majesty' exposes the foolishness of the men and the wisdom of the women. None is wiser than the `town witch,' Hira Mata (`Whale Rider's' Vicky Haughton), who befriends Elizabeth and serves as the change agent for civility. The queen's imminent arrival serves as a metaphoric wakeup call for the town to sharpen up, not just for the gardens but for their own racist regimen.

The performances are stiff and slow as might be expected for a film better suited to young audiences: The fight scenes between sister and brother are like awkward dance lessons; the reactions of almost everyone are too large for the screen, except for old Mata's, themselves not as subtle as they could be.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the location, Cambridge, New Zealand, in 1953. Gordon catches the spirit, mood, and look of that age in vivid primary colors, almost cartoon or comic like. But the moral lessons learned by little Elizabeth transcend even the queen; she has learned, as Henry Potter said in 1889, `the one pre-eminent distinction, the royalty of virtue.'

It's the New Zealand I remember and the Maori spirit I felt; for that, Gordon earns my respect.

It is seldom that I would tell my friends that there is a movie that they must see. For family entertainment this "is a must see". Thank you Mr.Gordon, as far as I'm concerned your 16 years of effort was worth it. You made this 45 year old Marine cry. Interwoven themes of bigotry, friendship, maturity, courage, family, culture, love and greed make for a movie that is refreshing and one that I would take the children to see again. The manipulative Mrs. Hobson and her friends reminded me of the cackling hens in "The Music Man". My older son cheered when Mr. Wakefield told Kupe to escort Mrs. Hobson out of their home.

Her Majesty examines the dilemma of a young girl who faces conflicting demands from her friends and family and her reactions to those pressures. Although set in New Zealand in the 1950's, the situations are universal and timeless. The movie covers racial prejudice, peer pressure, and parental influence in ways that allow an audience of any age to follow that part of the movie with which they most identify.

The breathtaking scenery provided a beautiful backdrop against which to set the show. I was transported to a different time and place but felt like I was there. I was drawn to the struggle of the young girl to do what she thought was right even though it appeared she would have to pay a severe price to do so. Her character and that of the old Maori woman were well developed during the entire length of the movie and provided an in-depth look at how they deal with their place in the community. This was a pleasant change from most movies where the characters and their motivations are superficial or trite.

This is a movie suitable for all ages that keeps your attention based on the plot and the characters rather than stunts or violence. I was able to see it while on a trip to Los Angeles and keep hoping for a wider release so my friends here can have a chance to see it as well.

"Her Majesty" an impressive new film shown at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

For some time, there has been significant unrest with our entertainment media. Large segments of the public have been decrying Hollywood film productions. The choice of violent content, dysfunctional behavior, excessive sexual emphasis, and a debased human condition as subject material have championed sensationalism over the artistic potential of the film industry.

But there have been signs of a reawakening of the films artistry with a new generation of film makers. This example, a film made in New Zealand by a young American writer and director, Mark Gordon is one to stir nostalgia for this all but lost art.

The story line is a very straightforward one. A 12 year old girl, captivated by the fairytale like coronation of England's Queen Elizabeth in 1953 becomes obsessed with the notion that if she prevails on her Queen, often and with a great enough devotion, her idol might, on a tour of the Empire, come to New Zealand. Once there she would visit the small town of Middleton, where she might be met and greeted by this young dreamer. As a subplot, the great 19th century struggle by the Maori natives to keep the white man from killing their people and seizing their land is historically brought to life in the character of an old woman, daughter of a slain chief of the Maori who is befriended by our young dreamer. The few months between the Queen's itinerary being settled to include Middleton and the actual visit is a hectic melange of problems and resolutions that revolve about the girl's family, the Maori elder, and the community. The visit (which historically duplicates a real event in 1953, and includes locals who were present at that visit) calms all the ruffled waters and leaves the viewer teary eyed and fulfilled.

What then does one make of the wholesome content of this film, of the sensitive treatment of a child at the verge of her awakening as an adolescent and of her dreams. The film's depiction of the Maori elder's treatment as an outcast, and its reversal by the Queen is also developed with touching sensitivity. There is great care in dovetailing all of the above with great cinematography, a coordinated musical background, a precision of costume and period pieces of furniture and cars that blend together as great film artistry.

One leaves this film with a warm glow that is part nostalgia for simpler and less troubling times, and part hope for an industry to regain its focus, rekindling the art of filmaking to suggest that the human condition is not all bad. Art can reflect the best or the worst about us. It can also search for the simple but mysterious parts of ourselves and our world and express them in artistic metaphor.

This film does that beautifully. I hope it goes far, but if you get a chance, go see it , and take the kids.

I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of seeing this film on March 24, 2002, at the 26th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival.

What a delight! I must first admit that I had very few expectations for this film when I selected it. Like many film fesitval veterans, my film choices at these events tend more toward the logistic rather than the artistic: in other words, if the movie plays at 3 p.m. and I am free at 3 p.m. -- and none of the other three films playing at that same time interests me -- I frequently choose a film by default.

In this case, however, my "choice by default" turned out to be a wonderful happenstance. This movie deserves to be picked up for national distribution within the United States very quickly. I was completely charmed by the story of a young New Zealander who is obsessed with Queen Elizabeth II. In an attempt to get the newly crowned Queen to visit her small cheese-making town, the youngster embarks upon a prolific letter-writing campaign to convince the Queen to visit the small town during her upcoming tour of the country.

The relationships in the film are very strongly fleshed out, and the movie can make even the most hard-edged cynic tear up and cry like a little baby! The young actor who plays Elizabeth brings a genuine sweetness and pluckiness to her role. And the woman who plays the Maori elder is wise and noble but never succumbs to cliche. This is a family film that can wear such a badge with absolute distinction. It teaches without preaching or condescending. I cannot rave enough about this wonderful film!

The writer/director of the film was present for the screening. He described how it took him nearly 13 years to get the movie made, what with his chasing of financing as well as his dealings with studios that wanted him to compromise his script by moving the setting to America instead of its New Zealand locale. I can only hope that some of these same "industry types" who were so quick to dismiss the film were present for the Cleveland screening, where the audience erupted in thunderous cheers and applause at the end of the movie.

Keep a watchful eye out for this movie -- and pray that it gets the wide exposure it so dearly deserves!