gente não

gente não

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 123 of 365 of my year long challenge

Week 18: Home Time!

With Waitangi Day coming up it's time to head home and bask in all that Kiwi glory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sequel to the classic Once Were Warriors, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? is in many ways a poor man's imitation. Much of the core cast returns for a film that sets a similar tone but lacks the biting edge, the ferocious tempo or the explosive social commentary of its predecessor.

Jake "the Muss" Heke (Temuera Morrison) is back, five years after we last saw him. His eldest son Nig (Julian Arahanga) has just been killed in a fight between two rival gangs. Now almost entirely estranged from his family, Jake's appearance at the funeral stirs up plenty of resentment, particularly in his son Sonny (Clint Eruera). Determined to find vengeance for his brother's death, Sonny and his friends infiltrate the rival gang and attempt to kill the men responsible. Meanwhile, Jake begins to come to terms with his volatility and his own role as a father.

Where Once Were Warriors hit audiences hard with bursts of violence and destruction of all kinds, What Becomes... plays a safer, more audience-friendly game. Alcohol, drugs, domestic and sexual abuse still rear their ugly heads throughout but more so in a checklist kind of way. Five years on, the film spends its energy trying to redeem Jake, his own self-destructive violence being the majority of the films action.

Morrison still embodies Jake perfectly and continues to inject a relatable humanity to an otherwise unlikable man. He even goes so far as to admit his faults and rationalise his behaviour while recognising it must change. From a man who punches up at every opportunity, this is a quiet bit of self-reflection and awareness that drives the film. With this comes a vulnerability that hints at men's ability to calm down as they age and become fathers (even if he overshot that mark by far too many years). He even apologises to Beth (Rena Owen), trying to mend the world he broke. Sadly, though, the film sorely lacks the presence of Owen throughout. Her tough portrayal of an abused yet strong mother and wife is swept aside for a couple of cameo appearances.

Eruera brings an approximation of intensity that struggles to get past teenage angst. He just appears to be a dick throughout the film, even if we do understand his motivations. With him comes some unnecessarily clichéd plots that go so far as to make his brother's lover fall in love with him. We don't need this kind of subplot in any film and here it undermines their burning need for vengeance.

Not as gritty as one would expect and so very audience friendly, What Becomes... is a butt-numbingly boring film. Pockets of action, some nostalgic interest and an undercooked redemption story all fall too far short of not only the reputation handed on by its predecessor but also a really good film. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? certainly isn't the film you'd think it is and barely the film you'd want it to be. Jake "the Muss" may be Temuera Morrison's best performance (in both films) but it's not nearly enough for the reputation of a warrior.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 123 of 365 of my year long challenge

Week 18: Home Time!

With Waitangi Day coming up it's time to head home and bask in all that Kiwi glory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sequel to the classic Once Were Warriors, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? is in many ways a poor man's imitation. Much of the core cast returns for a film that sets a similar tone but lacks the biting edge, the ferocious tempo or the explosive social commentary of its predecessor.

Jake "the Muss" Heke (Temuera Morrison) is back, five years after we last saw him. His eldest son Nig (Julian Arahanga) has just been killed in a fight between two rival gangs. Now almost entirely estranged from his family, Jake's appearance at the funeral stirs up plenty of resentment, particularly in his son Sonny (Clint Eruera). Determined to find vengeance for his brother's death, Sonny and his friends infiltrate the rival gang and attempt to kill the men responsible. Meanwhile, Jake begins to come to terms with his volatility and his own role as a father.

Where Once Were Warriors hit audiences hard with bursts of violence and destruction of all kinds, What Becomes... plays a safer, more audience-friendly game. Alcohol, drugs, domestic and sexual abuse still rear their ugly heads throughout but more so in a checklist kind of way. Five years on, the film spends its energy trying to redeem Jake, his own self-destructive violence being the majority of the films action.

Morrison still embodies Jake perfectly and continues to inject a relatable humanity to an otherwise unlikable man. He even goes so far as to admit his faults and rationalise his behaviour while recognising it must change. From a man who punches up at every opportunity, this is a quiet bit of self-reflection and awareness that drives the film. With this comes a vulnerability that hints at men's ability to calm down as they age and become fathers (even if he overshot that mark by far too many years). He even apologises to Beth (Rena Owen), trying to mend the world he broke. Sadly, though, the film sorely lacks the presence of Owen throughout. Her tough portrayal of an abused yet strong mother and wife is swept aside for a couple of cameo appearances.

Eruera brings an approximation of intensity that struggles to get past teenage angst. He just appears to be a dick throughout the film, even if we do understand his motivations. With him comes some unnecessarily clichéd plots that go so far as to make his brother's lover fall in love with him. We don't need this kind of subplot in any film and here it undermines their burning need for vengeance.

Not as gritty as one would expect and so very audience friendly, What Becomes... is a butt-numbingly boring film. Pockets of action, some nostalgic interest and an undercooked redemption story all fall too far short of not only the reputation handed on by its predecessor but also a really good film. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? certainly isn't the film you'd think it is and barely the film you'd want it to be. Jake "the Muss" may be Temuera Morrison's best performance (in both films) but it's not nearly enough for the reputation of a warrior.