Her Majesty (2001)

Powerful

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

I work hard to see what is worthwhile in a movie, but this one has almost nothing going for it. To be sure it is a feel-good family movie but it has very little integrity.The acting is average (apart from Vicky Haughton) and in my opinion, much of the responsibility for that can be laid at the feet of director/script writer Mark Gordon.The young star Sally Andrews clearly has talent, but she is not allowed to show it. Directed over and over into the position of a simpering adolescent she never has a chance to show the strength and courage her part demanded.Perhaps the most difficult role is the kuia Hira Mata played by Vicky Haughton. She struggles against the director and his grossly sentimental script and comes out with credit.The script is described by one of the producers as one of the more intelligent he's seen, if that is so I dread to think what the rest of the movies are like. The dialogue is clichéd, the plot line has holes you could drive a bus through and many of the characters are quite unbelievable. To his credit Mark Gordon does try to confront the issues of the confiscation and theft of land from the Maori, but it is never convincing.The rest of the cast are forced by the director into silly stereotypes and their resulting discomfort is almost palpable.

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.

It is a rare occasion for our whole family to enjoy the same film. Our kids (8 and 4) tend to have a lower expectation than do their parents. I know a movie is good that makes both me and my kids tear up with joy! I hope that this film can be an example to Hollywood that "family movies" can be thought provoking, beautifully shot, and interesting to the whole family, even without bodily function jokes. Remember, Hollywood, who pays for those eight-year old's movie tickets!! Please find a distributor for this movie. I know a lot of families who would love to see it!! Thanks to the Seattle International Film Festival for choosing this wonderful movie. REALLY. I am a fairly tough critic.

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!