I was glad to learn about Te Ata, and I read more about her after the movie. She was an exquisitely beautiful, gifted woman, and the love story is as moving as is her own story. But she deserved a better film than this one. Both leads are good in their parts as is the cast. It's when Kilcher is on stage and supposed to be telling Te Ata's stories that the film falls apart. She is awkward and unconvincing, as though she didn't feel the scenes or didn't practice them. They stop short of anything like the dignity and magic that we're supposed to see reflected in the audiences' awed faces. It's disappointing and even jarring. Instead, try the short film about her on YouTube where you see her beauty and confident dignity, hear the Indian voice and music in the background that soars and moves the heart. I'm glad the makers gave us a film about Te Ata; now another company needs to release a film that does her justice.
Review of Te Ata
