Q'Orianka Kilcher stars as the headstrong ruler. Kilcher is probably best known for her role as Pocahontas in Terrence Malick's The New World back in 2005. She was absolutely breathtaking and full of wonder in that film. Perfect for the part. Here she fits awkwardly as the mannered monarch. From the film's earliest moments, Kaiulani's beloved Hawaii stands on the brink of losing its power and it's culture. Happy for a time, her blissful, coddled life as a princess is interrupted when reformists looking to overthrow the monarchy force her uncle, the King, to sign the Bayonet Constitution. To avoid harm, her father(a Scottish governor) whisked away to a Victorian England boarding school, where she is a pariah to most of the other girls.
Of course, no journey to an unfamiliar land would be complete without the requisite love interest. In this case, it's Clive Davies(Shaun Evans), the bland son of Theo Davies, Kaiulani's guardian while abroad. To say that this relationship is underdeveloped is an understatement. They do share a nice bike ride once. I guess that's enough for a loving bond according to this flick. She and Clive are engaged, but he screws up royally by not informing her of the goings on back in Hawaii. Her uncle has died. Her aunt, Liliʻuokalani, became Queen and was almost immediately overthrown by forces spearheaded by Lorrin Thurston(Barry Pepper). Thurston had written the Bayonet Constitution earlier and was backed by the Hawaiian elite as well as American/European businesses waiting to capitlize on the country's massive resources. When Kaiulani finds out, Clive is up a creek and she heads to the United States to plea for Hawaii's independence to be restored.
At one time the film was titled 'Barbarian Princess', taking from one of the many crude monickers she was given in pro-annexation newspapers in the United States. That title was changed after Hawaiians complained. We briefly get a glimpse of the sarcasm and derision she faced upon arriving here, but her regal demeanor and calming words eventually led to her becoming quite a popular figure. Unfortunately again, it's an aspect of her life that is barely touched upon.
That seems to be the major problem that is never overcome. The script by newcomer Marc Forby lacks any emotion or detail. People flit in and out of Kaiulani's life with very little context, and it's expected that when something happens to them we should find a reason to care. There's no focus on her very fictional relationship with Clive. We know practically nothing of her relationship with her father, which should've been ripe for exploration given her half-Scottish/half-Hawaiian upbringing. The most interesting stuff is the machinations of these American interests to overpower the Hawaiian governmental system, but it's barely skimmed over. Crucial details are left out, with one side portrayed as villanious bullies and the other as helpless victims. Neither inspires much sympathy. A deeper look at the events in question could've provided this story with some much needed heft.
Forby, who not only handled the writing chores but also directed, clearly took a page out of Malick's handbook. Numerous swirling montages of Kaiulani playfully dancing in the forest or along the beach are reminiscent of The New World. Backed by a powerful operatic score, these scenes are a breath of fresh air. If only there were more of them.
Kilcher is an actress with a unique look and tons of screen presence, which should make her perfect to play the native princess. While she has her moments, particularly in the early going when she's free to be playful(similar to some of her Pocahontas scenes), I never felt like she captured the majesty inherent in the person she was portraying. As usual I'm consistenly impressed by Barry Pepper's ability to misplay every single role he takes on. He's either too casual or too intense but never perfect. This film needed Lorrin Thurston to be played with a bit more nuance.
Kaiulani's life was a short one. The princess died at the young age of 24, and I don't think I'm breaking any news by saying that her mission ultimately did not succeed. Hawaii is a part of the United States,I think we even have a President who was born there(or Kenya depending on who you ask!). I hope that this story gets the treatment it deserves from a more capable director. One who's able to create a film that's as large as the life of its subject matter.
