It's hard to say that the sequel to "Once Were Warriors" is an
enjoyable
film, but the overall message of "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?"
-and
there definitely is a message - is more positive.
Alan Duff's screenplay (adapted from his novel) follows two main
storylines: Jake learning to control his violence; and his son being
drawn
into the gang environment, which is built around the threat of
violence.
They eventually intersect in what is a satisfying, if not entirely
plausible, ending.
The film opens with Jake Heke in a familiar scene, drinking and
fighting in
a pub. But this time his friends aren't cheering him on. It's the
beginning
of Jake The Muss's decline into pathetic outcast. At his lowest ebb he
is
banned from McClutchy's bar, pariah at his son Nig's funeral, and then
his
flatmate drinks his beer. We actually start to feel sorry for the
man.
Director Ian Mune gives the film a close, character-based focus rather
than
trying to create a large-scale drama. Fortunately, the actors'
performances
carry this responsibility well. Clint Eruera (Sonny Heke) is
completely
convincing in his first movie role as Jake's resentful, idealistic
son, and
Nancy Brunning is also impressive as the strong but tragic Tania.
The talent of Temuera Morrison makes Jake's transformation into a man
who
"just wants to do something right" mostly credible, although there are
moments when it seems too obvious. Watching the party scene, when Jake
smiles contentedly at his new role model friends having a traditional
guitar sing-along in his lounge, it's hard to know whether to applaud
or
cringe. The lighter touches, when Jake's new pals, Kohi and his
'little'
brother, help Jake with a flat tyre by lifting up his car, and the pig
hunting trip where Jake tries to prove himself, are easier to take.
There are some terrifyingly ugly men in this film. Gangs aren't
glamorised
here, and Jake's personality problems are put in perspective against
the
pure evil of characters like Grunt and Apeman. When Sonny, Tania and
likeable sidekick Mookie, walk into the Black Snakes' gang head
quarters
-an industrial warehouse - with a naïve plan to avenge Nig's death,
the
atmosphere of threat is intense.
The lasting impression after watching this movie is of faces and
expressions, which are highlighted against the mostly dark background.
The
triumph of gang leader Grunt when Nig is shot; Jake Heke's look of
wounded
fury when he is thrown out by his feisty lady friend Rita; the
predatory
menace of Apeman; and Tania's vulnerability hidden behind her
sunglasses,
are all striking and memorable.
There are some weaknesses - the film's pace lags sometimes, possibly
because the story covers a number of characters - but there is
something
honest about the story that makes it work.
With such a serious message, you have to hope that the people who need
to
understand it most will see this film.
