White Lies

I loved it. The dialog was clunky but the performances were mighty and made up for it. I thought the 3 leads were fantastic. I wanted to know more about them all. I've been quite taken aback at the drastically opposing opinions. It's split my friends and family although I have to say the majority have absolutely loved but a few have disliked intensely. We've had a few arguments mostly because they felt picked on as white New Zealanders. I didn't, it was just too interesting. Such polarising views says a lot about the director. I felt she presented a very strong and unforgiving view of her interpretation of our history. Design and cinematography were outstanding. Bravo.

My daughter directed me to this site after we re-read some of the reviews for this film. I have to admit we read a review in the Herald, the Listener and even heard one on the National radio (where they called 'Rachel House' 'Rachel Church'!) and we decided not to see it. We thought our regular cinema would surely close the film down given the Luke warm reviews. Yesterday we went along to our local cinema with a view to see a festival film and we noticed 'White lies' was still on. After a lot of sighing and changing of minds we decided to see it.

I am so glad we did.

What a powerful and remarkable film. I wholeheartedly accept the criticism of some of the clichéd dialogue from various reviews hence my 9 out of 10.

Whirimako Black gives a very assured performance for a newcomer though clearly she is a storyteller of some repute in the music world. Elizabeth Hawthorne gives a full bodied performance that we've come to expect from such an acting heavyweight. Like wise Nancy Brunning gives us a textured and full character that adds a well needed warmth to our lead protagonists journey. Antonia Prebble is indeed a porcelain doll as described by others. Yes, she is cold and unlikeable and the journey she goes on throughout this story that gives us real insight into the reasons behind this behaviour is executed remarkably well for such a young actress. In other words I believed her and followed her journey entirely. All of these performances were wonderful- but it is the servant Maraea that I couldn't stop thinking about- who I am still thinking about. What an intriguing story and an absolutely outstanding performance by Rachel House. For both my daughter and I and in turn all of our friends who we managed to convince to go along and see the film- it is this part of the story that we are most torn up about. "Like watching a dam about to burst" is how one of my friends described Houses performance.

I encourage you all to go and see the film yourselves. I hope the overseas critics understand the qualities of this film better than those ones here.

I could not stop watching this anymore than one can put a good book down. the best dialogue and story line, I found the energy medicine and the symbolism powerful, transporting me back to time and place, very moving.

I had no hesitation in giving this film 10 out of 10. I thought it was extraordinary, as did everyone else in the cinema. Everyone sat respectfully and watched the credits roll and comments heard as we left the cinema were without exception complimentary. What a story - quite dark but very moving as we see the collision of two cultures. I believe White Lies has the potential to win Viewers' Choice Awards at film festivals. There was not a false note in it for me, although some may find Antonia Prebble's character quite rigid - but she needed to be. I am going to see this film again later this week, and it's not often that I do that.

Who knew that New Zealand's Maori natives suffered the same hellish treatment dished out by the English Empire around the globe. This is another chapter of Western "civilization" the elites would prefer to have kept swept under the rug. It's a sad tale of gender, racial, andethnic prejudice and abuse. The director is young and inexperienced, but tries her hardest to convey original ideas in new ways. Her bravery in tackling such a delicate subject with honesty is unique.

It's very difficult to be picky and compare techniques to Spielberg, and the Hollywood elite who had so much more to work with in their careers. I applaud this director, cast, and crew for doing a great job.

If your idea of a great film is STAR WARS, you can pass this one quietly by. But if you're a curious person who enjoys history, politics, and deeply emotional situations in foreign cultures, you'll find this quite compelling and rewarding.