Mary Wisniewski
Assistant A&E Editor
Terrence Mealick’s “The New World” is a new world in itself. Scenes cut quickly from shot to shot, and dialogue is limited due to language barriers between the English and the Native Americans. However, these limitations make a strong movie by revealing what it may be like to go somewhere one has never gone before — a little confusing and daunting at times, but certainly eye-opening. And, unlike the Disney version of Pocahontas, “The New World” actually presents a more accurate presentation of colonial America.
It is essentially a movie about discovery — discovery of America as well as discovery of the English lifestyle. In particular, it’s a love story, seen mostly through the eyes of Pocahontas, a free-spirited princess from the Powhatan tribe. As long as you can handle a slower paced movie, “The New World” will not let you down.
The movie begins with Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell) heading from England to Virginia. Upon arrival, Smith and company discover a world very unlike the one they just left, unhampered and wild in beauty.
The film is great at captivating both how the Native Americans are awed by the English as well as how the English are awed by the Native Americans. None can understand the other group. Upon first encounter with both groups, feelings of curiosity are more prevalent than hostility. Things seem optimistic, although, it is in part due to the Englishmen’s arrogance of believing they can conquer a new world.
Soon it becomes apparent how little the English settlers know. The weather gets worse, their accommodations are inadequate, and food is a rarity. Needless to say, their spirits are dampened. To find food, Smith is sent on an expedition to meet with the Powhatan chief.
The natives are less friendly there and capture Smith. As he is about to be killed, a beautiful Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher) jumps on top of him, saving his life. Powhatan permits Smith to stay. Both Smith and Pocahontas are pleased.
Smith begins to see the way of the natives as a better way of life, realizing they are not darkened with jealousy and live life freely unlike the colonists. He especially sees this through Pocahontas, a woman he comes to love and who comes to love him. In a touching scene, they teach each other words from their native language, and although they are far from fluent, it is evident how much they long for each other through their hungry eyes.
Time passes, the Jamestown settlement fails and flourishes, Smith leaves on a new expedition. Enter John Rolfe, played by a very attractive Christian Bale. He is unlike Smith and takes Pocahontas to England. The chemistry is not as hot between Pocahontas and Rolfe, but he cares, and she hasn’t become devoid of emotions, even in a corset.
“The New World” isn’t just about the new world for the colonists, but it is also about the new world for Pocahontas. The movie does a brilliant job at capturing how unusual Europe would seem to someone who had never been before. Pocahontas is bewildered by the English ways of selling fruit on the streets and caging live animals.
“The New World” is beautiful to watch, but seeing it once is enough. The film does a superb job at capturing emotions of longing. However, it drags at times, and there are scenes that are unnecessary and could have been cut.
Kilcher is a believable Pocahontas and steals the film away as a princess bridging the two worlds of the English and Native Americans together. Bale, too, gives a wonderful performance as a caring tobacco grower. Farrell is OK, but his acting seems to be more about how much he can arch his eyebrow.
“The New World” won’t have you singing “Colors of the Wind” by the end of the movie but should leave viewers more than satisfied. The film is written well and performances are solid. It will give you a sense of what life may have been, and at the very least, a sense of how hard it is to want something you can’t have or can’t have yet.
01-23-2006
