Crooked Earth (2001) User Reviews

Tem Morrison and some good moments can't save it from mediocrity

[taikman · 5/10 · 21 March 2002]

'Crooked Earth' is quite a good film, with some powerful scenes, but like so many New Zealand movies it is let down by an unfocused plot and some poor acting.

It's the story of soldier Will Bastion (Temuera Morrison) who returns to a small Coromandel town to bury his father, a tribal elder. While he was away his brother Kahu (Lawrence Mokoare) has created a lucrative dope industry and is leading a gang that is violently opposed to the proposed Treaty settlement with the Crown. It's a good set-up for a story that plays much like a Maori Western, but the plot is weakened because the movie trys to be too many things: action comedy, land rights debate, family saga, morality tale about responsibility, drug war thriller. There's also a romantic subplot which attempts to be about the issues facing Maori youth, but seems mainly to be there to provide a few jokes and show off some hot young bodies. To pull off all these things in one film would be a major achievement. 'Crooked Earth' doesn't do it - an example of how it loses it's impact by trying to be all things to everyone is in the portrayal of Kahu. He is a charismatic, ruthless fanatic - yet (minor spoiler warning) the ending seems to validate his choices.

The other major problem is the acting. Tem Morrison is typically strong, and Mokoare has great prescence, but too many of the other significant parts are damaged by amateurish actors. For example the actress playing Will Bastion's daughter seems to have been cast more for her beautiful figure and face than her acting ability.

However I shouldn't be too negative. There are some excellent scenes, a few very funny lines ('No sense letting a good feed of fish and chips go to waste as well') and the film looks beautiful. Several shots stay with you for a long time, such as people standing on top of a rugged mountain and a group of riders thundering over the hills. It's worth seeing if you don't expect another 'Once Were Warriors'.

Hoped for more.

[crumpytv · 5/10 · 1 June 2021]

Although important in highlighting cultural divides still prevalent in New Zealand, I couldn't help but feel this drew too much from Hollywood Westerns. So many of the the storylines and sub-plots have all been done before, albeit in different settings.

Crooked Script

[natham · 3/10 · 22 August 2001]

I went to Crooked Earth to see a piece of New Zealand. What I found was a badly scripted and badly acted echo of the people I know.

Great moments between characters – including many of Temuera Morrison and Lawrences Makoares scenes together – were often ruined by long and wordy monologues that the actors were forced to stumble through. Beautiful and ill-fitting phrases rattled away from Lawrence in particular as if he were the new Maori Messiah at his pulpit of beer crates.

When watching any film with Maori actors, I've found that I can always pick a half dozen characters that remind me of someone in my life. With Crooked Earth I struggled to find one key character that rung true for the entire two hours. Most – including Wiremu and Peka – wound up saying or doing things that I didn't understand and couldn't connect with. By the end of the movie the writer had succeeded in alienating the audience where the Maori weren't able to relate to it and the Pakeha were therefore given license to dismiss it. My feeling is that the movies message – or at least the main one of several that was being lobbed at the audience – is important enough to avoid using character extremities. Unfortunately, no one who read the script before it was filmed thought to pass this piece of advice on.

The soundtrack was invasive, and, as irritating as that horrible `bing-bong' noise that they laced through `Eyes Wide Shut'. The audience was not so subtly auto-cued to laugh, cry or be angry when the music changed. It reminded me of Darth Vader's entrance music in Star Wars: obvious and mildly amusing.

I think that there are some people out there that might enjoy this film. It's funny in parts, has a fair amount of action and has some really powerful scenes. Calvin Tuteao and Quentin Hita did bang up jobs as well. As a whole though, I didn't enjoy the experience as much as I know I should have. Barb Wire, Speed 2, The Island of Dr Moreau and Crooked Earth look like they're going to be Tem's quartet of crap.

Pleasantly Surprised

[johngoodman · 9/10 · 10 June 2002]

I saw the impressive trailer for Crooked Earth in the cinemas and had heard many different reviews.When I finally rented it I was pleasantly surprised.

The cinematography is stunning, catching many rugged but beautiful landscapes of New Zealand. The land issues thing is definitely tired but overall the film had a good mix of shoot-me-ups, drama, romance, stunts, drugs and violence, if not a little too Americanised but that's ok.

The overall cast was very good. It was refreshing to to see Temuera Morrison ("Once Were Warriors") playing a good guy for once and I thought he was pretty good at playing Wiremu, especially in comparrision to many of his other films. There were standouts from Jaime Passier-Armstrong ("Jubilee") who delivered a strong performance playing the daughter of Wiremu and from Quinton Hita (from Mai Time)who played the rugged country boy with a cool horse! I liked the guy who played the cop and Nancy Brunning ("What Becomes of the Broken Hearted") is always wonderful to watch.

I think Crooked Earth is worth seeing as its got lots of great stunts, chopper shots and theres a good mix of humour to break up the drama. An action flick that is home grown!

A controversial, yet important movie

[psyche-15 · 8/10 · 24 August 2001]

"Crooked Earth" is a powerfully engaging movie that delves into controversial, yet highly important issues. These issues include- land disputes, cultural oppression and misunderstanding, family dynamics, and generational differences. Whilst such issues may be unsettling to some viewers, they are a timely reminder of the tensions that exist in this world and if left unchecked, they have the potential to destroy us all (whether it be physically, spiritually or emotionally). Moreover, the material covered in "Crooked Earth" is highly universal, and symbolises the struggle that many groups experience in this world.

Essentially, "Crooked Earth" focuses on the strained relationship between two Maori brothers- Will (Temuera Morrison) has just returned from army duties in East Timor and is somewhat reluctant to face the traditions and responsibilities associated with the Maori culture. Alternatively, Carl (Lawerence Makaore) is embittered by the way Maori are treated in New Zealand, and strongly advocates the need for Maori to stand up for their rights. Both men are entangled in a conflict over the treatment of tribal land (not to mention their ideological differences), and this ultimately leads to the inevitable 'showdown'.

A notable feature of "Crooked Earth" is the stunning cinematography. The rural landscape shots are truly breathtaking, and it clearly illustrates the strong connection between the Maori and the land. The performances in the movie are also worthy of praise, with Temuera Morrison and Lawerence Makaore portraying the troubled brothers with sincerity and control. Probably the only downfall is the inclusion of the 'Drug-Lord/ Henchman' character. Not only does he look out of place in the movie, he only serves to detract from the main issues at hand.

At times, it seems as if "Crooked Earth" tries to cover more territory than it actually can. This leads to some issues not being as well developed as they could be. For instance, we never seem to get to the heart of the relationship between Will and his daughter.

In all, I find "Crooked Earth" to be a beautifully sad story that raises many important issues. It is highly thought-provoking movie, and is therefore open to many interpretations.

Highly recommended.

Tems best role yet

[bjp-2 · 10/10 · 8 September 2001]

I was not expecting much out of this film and upon leaving the cinema was pleasantly surprised by how much I had enjoyed it. Temuera Morrison gives a performance that is in my opinion at least as good as, if not better than the one in Once Were Warriors. The musical score in the film was quixotic, not knowing exactly what type of film it was supposed to be for. The photography was good showing off the kiwi landscape. It is quite a decent attempt at trying to transpose the most american film genres The Western into NZ and it is mostly successful in doing so. At the start I was quite scared that it was just another promo film for the NZ tourism board with loads of rolling hills and sheep, but thankfully the film took a different direction. Basic plot: Chief dies, he had two sons one stayed and became a drug dealer the other left and joined the army and he comes back for the funeral after he is kicked out of the army and the younger brother who stayed wants to be chief and the older brother who would left doesn't want it. By the time the film is over the battles have been fought and their are all sorts of minor intrigues and western cliches that have been reinvigorated with the unique setting. The supporting cast was also very good with a standout being the girl who played tems daughter. Overall it is the best Kiwi film since Once Were Warriors and is a thoroughly enjoyable one also.

its worth the time

[levaitai01 · 10/10 · 13 May 2012]

Id never seen this movie and yet it was popular with the rest of my family (grown up kids). I find the plot very realistic about what is happening in New Zealand to Maori and the conflicts they face trying to hold onto their cultural ties to the land, their identity and living amidst the umbrella of colonization, westernization and the concepts of westernization being individualism and materialism Vs Tribal sovereignty. It shows the adaptability of Maori to their circumstances. That they can produce, act and put together this drama for others to realise their dilemma - show great creative flair and an ability to reach across cultures to ask for others to understand their plights and trials. Loved it, loved the acting and the deeper issues that face off between cultures of conflict expected to live harmoniously. It brings out the pathos of Maori and their warrior spirit to survive the political BS. I think this movie - should be resubmitted for another global distribution now that china, Russia are in the democratic race for global expansion. Will highlight the plight of what is to come for other indigenous peoples.

A Must See Movie For Fans Of Temuera Morrison

[gumby65 · 10/10 · 10 March 2012]

Crooked Earth has a lot of depth to it. Featuring one main storyline, but with multiple undertones. Different characters taking us to the same destination via their own personal journeys.

Temuera Morrison plays a typically strong and defined character. Showing bursts of power like only he can. Being well supported by a variety of actors, each with their own presence on screen.

Crooked Earth is another fine New Zealand movie. Beautifully filmed but still raw. The scripts sound real, giving the actors believability and edge. The story touches nerves that certainly run deep.

If you are a fan of Temuera Morrison, put Crooked Earth down at the top of your list. Up there with Once Were Warriors and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted. Three great movies featuring a powerful and proud New Zealand actor.