MovieChat Forums > Whale Rider (2003) Discussion > WOW! @ that speech!

WOW! @ that speech!

posted 14 years ago by mwbbl
3 replies | jump to latest

this got to be the most moving speech I've ever seen...

I didn't know much about this movie, besides the fact it was critically acclaimed. didn't even know castle-hughes was nominated for best actress.
actually I didn't know anything. I just put it in.
At first I was like "this little girl can act"
but then she had her little speech and it really catched me red-handed...it was so real, so moving. I watched that scene several times and I couldn't believe it. what a strong performance!

watching a good movie without knowing ANYTHING about it, is one of the best experiences you can have!

[–] mcmingus 14 years ago

Good of you to catch that.

Paikea's speech is THE pivotal moment in this film.

She's publically declaring herself as the direct descendent of the original whale rider of her people's lore. A huge deal for a little girl, much less a little girl who's people traditionally recognize only a first-born male child in the lineage.

*Danny's not here, Mrs. Torrance*

[–] subtextual 14 years ago

It's an amazing performance by Keisha Castle-Hughes, and a perfect microcosm of the whole film.

Pai honors her grandfather and her ancestors in that speech, and testifies to the importance of her tribe's heritage and tradition-- all while her heart is breaking because her grandfather appears to be rejecting her _yet again_.

The way she keeps going and finishes that speech, as incredibly hard as it is for her, shows the amazing resiliency and strength of character of that little girl.

At that moment, the viewer suspects that she SHOULD be her people's next chief, and after the next major scene, the viewer and even her grandfather know it absolutely.

Character actors: the backbone of the industry and the reason for half my visits to imdb.com

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

outstanding performance

so many movies, so little time