2008 Woodie Awards
Movie Review: "The New World"
Lauren Williams
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: A & E
Inspired by the legend of John Smith and Pocahontas, New Line Cinema presents, "The New World." Written and directed by Terrance Malick, (The Thin Red Line) the film follows the life of Pocahontas.
Fifteen-year-old Q'Orianka Kilcher, cousin to pop singer, Jewel, plays the part of the young, inquisitive and wise Powhatan princess, Pocahontas (though she is never called by that name in the movie). Her portrayal of the Native American princess has won her three nominations for the "Best Breakthrough Performance" award from three different award committees. (Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, National Board of Review, USA, and Online Film Critics Society Awards)
Despite Kilcher's critically acclaimed performance, however, the film leaves a lot to be desired.
"The subject is interesting but the movie itself was so boring. I thought I was watching the history channel. Plus, half the time I didn't know what was going on or who some of the characters were because there was so little dialogue," said Jennilyn DeSisto, senior, Trumbull.
The 135 minute, PG-13 rated film is very slow moving and has very little dialogue because Malick uses voice-over narration by main characters, John Smith, (Collin Farrell) and John Rolfe (Christian Bale) to tell his story.
"Malick isn't like other writers and directors. He tells his stories quietly and without a ton of action. If you're looking for a "this happened and then this happened" movie narrative, this will be a two-hours-plus lesson in patience. There are a lot of incredibly pretty shots of nature but you are often left wondering where the plot is," said Joe Finis, senior, High Bridge, N.J.
Malick's stylings aside, "The New World" may not be the story we're familiar with. Pocahontas does not "fall in love" with John Smith, (Colin Farrell) as the children's book or Disney movie tells it, but saves his life, throwing herself on his body when he is about to be killed on the order of her father, the chief. Driven by curiosity rather than love, Pocahontas and Smith forge a friendship. In a slow paced journey of discovery she teaches him the language and culture of her world, as he teaches her about his.
Fifteen-year-old Q'Orianka Kilcher, cousin to pop singer, Jewel, plays the part of the young, inquisitive and wise Powhatan princess, Pocahontas (though she is never called by that name in the movie). Her portrayal of the Native American princess has won her three nominations for the "Best Breakthrough Performance" award from three different award committees. (Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, National Board of Review, USA, and Online Film Critics Society Awards)
Despite Kilcher's critically acclaimed performance, however, the film leaves a lot to be desired.
"The subject is interesting but the movie itself was so boring. I thought I was watching the history channel. Plus, half the time I didn't know what was going on or who some of the characters were because there was so little dialogue," said Jennilyn DeSisto, senior, Trumbull.
The 135 minute, PG-13 rated film is very slow moving and has very little dialogue because Malick uses voice-over narration by main characters, John Smith, (Collin Farrell) and John Rolfe (Christian Bale) to tell his story.
"Malick isn't like other writers and directors. He tells his stories quietly and without a ton of action. If you're looking for a "this happened and then this happened" movie narrative, this will be a two-hours-plus lesson in patience. There are a lot of incredibly pretty shots of nature but you are often left wondering where the plot is," said Joe Finis, senior, High Bridge, N.J.
Malick's stylings aside, "The New World" may not be the story we're familiar with. Pocahontas does not "fall in love" with John Smith, (Colin Farrell) as the children's book or Disney movie tells it, but saves his life, throwing herself on his body when he is about to be killed on the order of her father, the chief. Driven by curiosity rather than love, Pocahontas and Smith forge a friendship. In a slow paced journey of discovery she teaches him the language and culture of her world, as he teaches her about his.