Capturing Tamahori’s vision with extraordinary precision is cinematographer Gin Loane, who wrangles both breathtaking landscapes and jaw-dropping blood-spilling with perfect compositions. The screenplay structure is highly reminiscent of Dances With Wolves, except with much swifter pacing and critical divergences. These two elements make for a sweeping and engrossing picture that isn’t easily forgotten.
The acting is flat-out wonderful. Makoare as the heavy gives us one of the grisliest portraits of unflinching destruction you will see. The matter-of-factness of how he portrays mass killing will squeeze the air from your lungs. Ngatai-Melbourne steals the show from her first scene and keeps it firmly in her pocket throughout. I expect to start seeing her everywhere soon. Pearce does a fantastic job slowly peeling the onion of Munro’s character, hiding it in plain sight onscreen in the most unself-conscious way.
“…flat-out wonderful.”
The biggest treat here is McKenzie’s career-defining triumph. She gives us a master class in the role of the outcast. I have been a serious fan of McKenzie since Romper Stomper and Deep Blue Sea. This role shows how major her talent has always been.
The Convert is the kind of art-house happening that cannot be missed. It needs to be seen as big as possible. It is required viewing.
"…cannot be missed."
