Princess Kaiulani (2009) starring Q'orianka Kilcher, Barry Pepper, Will Patton, Shaun Evans directed by Marc Forby Movie Review

Princess Kaiulani (2009)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Shaun Evans and Q'orianka Kilcher in Princess Kaiulani (2009)

A Hawaiian Princess

As Hawaiian royalty Princess Kaiulani (Q'orianka Kilcher) has lead a live of privilege and luxury on the islands. But As the American's try to take control by taking over the government Kaiulani is wicked away to England where she can continue her education is safety away from the violence which is brewing on the island. It is there she meets a man who she longs to spend the rest of her life with but is conflicted when she receives word that she must return to Hawaii to reclaim the throne.

Let me start with what is good about "Princess Kaiulani" and that is if like me you know nothing about the history of Hawaii it will teach you something and might even lead you to look through the history books to find out a bit more. Of course if on the other hand you are already aware of Hawaii's history then I question how interesting "Princess Kaiulani" will be as whilst it gives us some facts it doesn't focus on them but giving us scenes such as after Kaiulani's arrival she struggled with the treatment she received at the school.

That leads me to what in many ways is the issue with "Princess Kaiulani" as rather than give us a historical dramatization it gives us a historical love story with lots of cliche as Kaiulani falls for Clive, played by Shaun Evans, and we see some general messing about on the beach and so on. The knock on effect of this is that it really makes it feel drawn out and a meandering love story with lots of picturesque scenes involving the sun, water and fabulous backdrops.

The knock on effect of all this is that it does little favour to any of the actors with Shaun Evans coming across as stiff and unconvincing as Clive. And then there is Q'orianka Kilcher an actress with a face and an ability to convey story through looks alone but who when given lots of dialogue which tells us everything is denied what she is good at.

What this all boils down to is that "Princess Kaiulani" is an interesting movie but that is because my knowledge of Hawaiian history was zero before watching. But it is a movie which is full of issues from over beautifying the romantic side to over indulgent dialogue which denies the actors to bring to life their characters.


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