MovieChat Forums > Whale Rider (2003) Discussion > was there anybody who didn't cry??

was there anybody who didn't cry??

posted 21 years ago by Lauwer
137 replies | jump to latest

Was there anybody who didn't cry?? I mean i really cried my eyes out at the last half hour or so. The way she does her speech at school for her grandfather even though he's not there and she's trying soooo hard and at the end with the whales...
And I NEVER cry when watching a movie. I watched it (thank god) alone, cause i was so ashamed haha. A day later my parents also watched it and even my dad (!) had to cry and i've never seen him cry and i know him for 18 years haha ofcourse my mom also cried but she can't even hold her tears when watching Dawson's Creek.

Share your thoughts here

By the way: I really liked this movie alot!!

Peter Griffin: You know those Germans; if you don't join the party, they come get you.

[–] Rilien_Rhov 20 years ago

I didn't cry, but the rest of my family did, when she is riding the whale and then she says "I'm not afraid to die" or something.

I understand that it was a moving film, but I don't get why. Can someboday PLEASE explain?

Can I laugh at you incompetent, moronic jerks now? Please?

[–] Jack-79 20 years ago

I was at the world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Niki, Keisha, Cliff, and Witi were introduced, and Witi did a Maori good luck chant. Then the film was run. When it was over, I had tears running down my cheeks. The lights went on, the whole audience rose up and gave the longest, loudest standing ovation I have ever seen. I looked around and everyone had tears running down their cheeks. Niki came back out, Keisha clinging to her. They were overwhelmed by the response, and were crying themselves. The most amazing movie going experience I have ever had.

[–] Dances_with_Weasels 20 years ago

Great story Jack. Thanks for sharing it.

The tension of my love for Paikea and anger at Koro had me emotionally wore out. I was blubbering at the speech scene. When I thought she died I let loose again.

It seems the older I get the easier I cry.

Anyone caught not singing gets a bottle of Fosters lobbed at their heads.

[–] CDAnimorph 20 years ago

I didn't cry, but this movie was quite impressive. It's got me interested in the Maori culture and language.

Ni heolas go haontios
Slainte!

[–] duhfagabeefy 18 years ago

I REALLY LOVE THIS MOVIE. AND IF I COULD THEN I WOULD WATCH IT EVERY SINGLE DAY THE REST OF MY LIFE

[–] tin0002 20 years ago

I saw this movie when it came to Sundance. It was the first movie I had ever seen there, but it was followed by another standing ovation. A friend said she had only seen a few movies ever get standing ovations there. Wish I'd seen all of the actors.
I too was crying after watching the first time. I've seen it several times since and haven't been quite as affected physically but emotionally I'm still overwhelmed. I loved the movie! One of my favorites!

[–] suavehermanita 20 years ago

I cried at the speech scene too! It's the best piece of acting I have seen in a long time. Genuinely moving. I have just finished my high school teacher training and one of the 4th form (about 14yrs old) classes i taught in my first practicum were watching this film, and i had tears in my eyes again! Luckily the kids were enthralled and no1 noticed!

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] IslandBoi 20 years ago

man, icried at that stage scene too............and i'm a grown ass man

Well You Know What They Say.....
Islanders May Not Have The Longest But We Do Have The Thickest

[–] contact-258 20 years ago

Hmmmm. I didn't cry. Perhaps I would have cried if I hadn't fallen into an irreversible coma about 45 minutes into this snoozefest. Help, I'm sleeping and I can't wake up.

I mean, for crying out loud (pun intended?), where were the 20 minute long car chases, topless scenes in the women's showers, and gangsters blowing massive holes in each other? They sure don't make movies like they used to in the good old days (see Porkies and Rambo 2).

[–] alviesinger 20 years ago

I cried, yeah! What a stupid movie! Ethno-Maori-Schmock goes Academy Awards...boring, useless - skip it and try to watch "Maria Full Of Grace". Enough of that *beep* with little girls on the back of whales.

[–] natyroper 20 years ago

The whole last half hour had me on the brink of tears, but the speech scene, though I connected strongly with it, was not actually the one that made me go. That would have to be the part where her grandfather (Kuru was it?) says to her "forgive me wise one for I am inexperienced" or something along those lines. I was alone, and I cry more easily that way, but still, it was great to see justice finally, and I connected incredibly strongly to the theme of a kid wanting respect but not getting it whatever he does. Only she did...

______________
You've got to let it all go - fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind...

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] super-pet 20 years ago

i cried throughout the movie SO MUCH for, ya know, personal reasons. i started crying when paikea said "... but he changed his mind..." as we see her on her grandfather's bike. loved the film!!!! loved every actor!

----
crowded elevator smell different to midget

[–] SecularAngel 20 years ago

I almost cried during the scene where she is riding the whales. For a second I really thought she was going to drown at sea. That would have been a tragedy.

I am a kind soul with undying love for my significant others and unrivaled, angelic beauty.

[–] allurance 20 years ago

The part when Nanny hands Koro the whale tooth was easily the most moving scene for me.

Koro: So, which one is it?
Nanny: What do you mean, Which one is it?!

And the look on Koro's face. Subtle and effective.

[–] wytkwia 19 years ago

I think i cried a bit in the speech scene.

"Be careful with that nightie, it costs more than you owe Kays catalogue."

[–] happiness_is_easy 19 years ago

Yep the speech scene did it for me too! Some amazing acting by Keiaha Castle-Hughes

[–] theone_trueking_ofasia3000 19 years ago

oooooohhhhhhh yeah. The speach scene did it to me too, as well as the Whale saving scene.

[–] Roving_eye 19 years ago

Man, I hate to even mention it but I did cry. I cried in the last part when the girl believes she got the whales there but for the wrong reasons, and the grandfather turns her away saying "haven't you done enough" and then she rides the whale. It was quite too much. Being from India and having a strong sense of family and tradition, and knowing girls, and how they respect elders, and have to quash their ambitions for the sake of family, this one really got to me. I can completely identify with the grandparents, the grandmother, the silent aide of the granddaughter, brilliant. The grandfather holding on to a dying traditions because its the only thing he believes is real, and makes them who they are in this fast paced modern materialistic world, to which he has already lost his son. Excellent. The acting is great (or should I say the lack of theatrics). My grandparents were exactly like that. The conflict of the movie is really in the Grandfather's mind, as to how to uphold what he believes in and what he knows is right.

the roving eye

[–] petechristopher 17 years ago

We watched this movie as a family.There was lots of masculine 'throat clearing' and unashamed female sobs.
Enchanting and captivating on many levels,without resorting to patronising stereotypes
A favourite.