The Patriarch

2016

1h 43m

Drama

List

87%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1960s New Zealand, a teen couple in a Maori tribe are caught in the middle of a power struggle between rival patriarchs.

Read More

Read Less

Audience Member

In 1994 relatively unknown New Zealand based director Lee Tamahori made Once Were Warriors. A haunting drama centred around a group of native Maori's, Once Were Warriors is one of New Zealand's most respected films and set Tamahori into a career in Hollywood were he went on to direct a group of relatively forgettable films such as Die Another Day and The Edge, but after 20 plus years plying his trade in the land of dreams and big budgets, Tamahori has returned to the beautiful shores of his homeland to helm quiet family drama Mahana, that in turn reteams him with his Warriors breakout star Temuera Morrison. Here playing the Mahana family matriarch, the Mahana's a group of farmers in 1960's New Zealand, Morrison still cuts an imposing figure but like the film itself, his granddaddy Mahana just isn't as fully formed and memorable as Mahana the film could've so easily been and while this handsomely crafted drama attempts the epic, this is more middle of the range than Tamahori's home country return would've initially seemed to be on paper. All the hallmarks of a captivating family drama are here, from the young teenage centrepiece Simeon, here played by Akuhata Keefe who doesn't exactly engage to the level needed, the 1960's settings, family mysteries and tensions between rival farming families but Mahana always feels like a glass half-full experience and while there's emotional material at the core of this tale, Tamahori and his cast can't make the audience commit to proceedings like Once Were Warriors so easily did. One thing that is for sure however is that Mahana absolutely looks stunning, it'd certainly take a fair effort to make the natural surrounds of New Zealand look anything but wondrous but Tamahori is clearly relishing the chance to get back on home soil and showcase the vast and plenteous lands of this magical country and the 60's time period allows things to look even more appealing as the audience is transported back to a time and place where nature was still king. Final Say - It's great to see Tamahori back home and once more working with the underrated Morrison and it's especially nice to see Tamahori step away from forgettable Hollywood actioners but while Mahana has all the elements of a potential new classic NZ based drama you can't help but feel this 90 minute film is just a slight cut above a made for TV experience that could've benefited greatly from a tighter script and a sharper execution, even if the backdrop of New Zealand makes for a constantly eye-capturing tale, just not one that captures the heart. 3 interrupted cinema screenings out of 5 www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful movie I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Lovely photography, strong story line, great message.Well done New Zealand.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Lee Tamahori

Director

Temuera Morrison

Grandfather Mahana

Akuhata Keefe

Simeon Mahana

Nancy Brunning

Ramona Mahana

James Moriarty

Rupeni Poata

Regan Taylor

Joshua Mahana

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

80%

%

The Receptionist

88%

92%

Chapter & Verse

TRAILER

for Chapter & Verse

94%

76%

Angels Wear White

TRAILER

for Angels Wear White

89%

46%

Sweaty Betty

100%

%

Nafi's Father

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

David Stratton

The Australian

Though the basic narrative arc is a familiar one, it makes for a mostly rewarding film thanks to its spectacular setting. New Zealand's pastoral vistas are handsomely photographed by Ginny Loane.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 9, 2016

Full Review

David Rooney

Hollywood Reporter

The Patriarch aims for classical screen storytelling, but the result, while entertaining for a time, becomes clunky and predictable, its sentimentality amplified by awkward incorporation of songs into the lush score.

Feb 14, 2016

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Screen International

This 1960s-set soap opera is filtered through sun-dappled nostalgia; there's so much soft focus that you start to wonder if there is something wrong with your eyes.

Feb 14, 2016

Full Review

Alex Behan

Stuff.co.nz

Nancy Brunning simmers with quiet strength as his long suffering wife, dignified and graceful throughout.

Sep 24, 2021

Full Review

Kate Rodger

Newshub (NZ)

While Mahana didn't deliver nearly the same memorable experience of Tamahori's or Ihimaera's earlier triumphs, it was still well worthy of both the telling and the watch.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 7, 2019

Full Review

Jim Schembri

3AW

Director Lee Tamahori teams up with his Once Were Warriors leading man Temuera Morrison for a solid, intense drama about family feud and a domineering dad.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 26, 2016

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

In 1960s New Zealand, a teen couple in a Maori tribe are caught in the middle of a power struggle between rival patriarchs.

Director: Lee Tamahori
Producer: Nik Beachman, Hone Kouka, Troy Lum, Timothy White
Screenwriter: John Collee
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 43m