Nonureva Really Surprised!

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Reno Rangan It is considered as one of the best Kiwi films ever. Inspired by a real person with the severe bipolar disorder. The story centres on the character Genesis Potini, a chess prodigy. Despite his mental issue, he forms a chess club called the Eastern Knights where the underprivileged kids are trained. The film follows his own struggle, as well as his fight for other Maori descent youngsters not to fall prey for the wrong paths. In that perspective, it was very well told tale.It is not another 'Once Were Warriors', but it had its moments. Especially the Maori people with their struggle between the good life and bad life was boldly revealed. Honestly, I did not enjoy much, but won't deny it is a nice film with a good message. I'm happy that I picked it, except I'm not the audience for it. Because the large portion of the film remained dull due to the 2 hour long stretch. I would have been very happy if it was around a 90 minute narration.So the actors were the plus point. Some of them had no prior experience, but did well and was recognised widely. Whatever it is, Cliff Curtis is the man of the film. He won a couple of International awards for the role he played. Like I said the first half was boring, but once the chess theme come into play, the scenario changes and lots of good things happens. I feel it is an inspiring film at a different level. Worth a watch, but it is not a very cheerful screenplay. So I don't think everybody would end up happy, despite a very interesting theme.6/10

Lucas Versantvoort The Dark Horse is based on a true story, though it thankfully refrains from telling you so in the opening credits. It deals with Genesis Potini, a man suffering from bipolar disorder, who seeks to improve the lives of children in New Zealand to prevent them from joining local gangs. In less capable hands this story could've been handled like a typical tearjerker and sports flick, but the chess takes a backseat to the drama, resulting in a very moving film.After another forceful return to the local hospital, Brother Genesis beckons his brother to let him go with him. The brother reluctantly agrees. His brother taught him chess when they were little, but is now part of a local gang. There he meets his nephew, Mana, who's being prepped to join the gang soon which, of course, also includes a 'wonderful' initiation ritual. Genesis becomes convinced he needs something to keep him stable. He joins a kids' chess club, The Eastern Knights, but—like one of the founders tells him—it's more a club to keep them off the streets. Genesis takes his new goal in life seriously, however, and vows to teach chess so they can all go to an upcoming tournament in Auckland.When you think of stories featuring a sport of some kind, poor socioeconomic conditions and so on, you start to fear this could be a highly clichéd film. I mean, underdogs…sports…gee, haven't seen that before. But The Dark Horse isn't interested so much in chess as in the psychological sides to the story. For instance, the first time Genesis teaches the kids to play chess, he lets them take one of his custom-made chess pieces. The idea is that they'll have to return the piece to every lesson, so that they'll be reunited again like a family. But one of the subplots I found most satisfying is Genesis's relationship with his brother. Mana doesn't want the gang life. His father doesn't either, but he doesn't see any alternative given their circumstances. About halfway through the film, Genesis reveals to his brother the upcoming chess tournament and that's he's been teaching Mana in secret. This all turns into the film's finest argument, but rather than taking the easy route and turning the father into the villain, the filmmakers allow you to look at things from his point of view.Needless to say, the acting is of a very high quality. I have no recollection of seeing Cliff Curtis before, not consciously anyway, but he's completely believable as Genesis. In the wrong hands, this performance could scream "look at me! Look at my acting chops", but in Curtis's hands it all feels completely natural. Likewise, James Rolleston who plays Mana is also quite good, despite some scenes feeling a bit awkward. Special mention has to go Wayne Hapi who plays Genesis's brother. He doesn't have a whole lot of screen time, but he's magnetic whenever he appears. His best scene, needless to say, is his huge argument with Genesis where in a single scene we get a feeling of his current struggles and the history between him and his brother.In lesser hands, this could've been a very manipulative affair: the bipolar disorder, the poor kids, the chess tournament, it all could've resulted in a highly predictable film. Thankfully, good taste prevailed with the filmmakers deciding to focus on the characters themselves. It subverts a lot of sport films clichés as well: you'd think the film would end right after they win, but it doesn't. You'd expect a training montage replete with inspirational '80s theme songs, but it doesn't. What you get in the end is a film that is much better than the sum of its parts.

Neo James (xxxtreme_raver) I have always firmly believed that Cliff Curtis is our finest actor and it would appear that he as proved me right with his role as Genesis in this excellent, gem of a film. His portrayal of someone who suffers from bipolar disorder is so raw and real that it is hard not to connect with the character and feel for him. Cliff has delivered the performance of his career, even piling on 30 plus kilograms for the role and absolutely immersing himself in the character of Gen, that he not only dressed like him for the role but continually played chess non stop. It is a shame that this film did not get a world wide release earlier or and nominations because it should have. A remarkable film about overcoming adversity and having the strength and courage to battle on.

darangulafilm Without giving too much away, the depiction by the lead actor of a person on modecate medication with its side-effects was comprehensively the best. It confounds me that films such as this one do not get more screens in mainstream exhibition.It is an absolute should go-see piece before it ends its big-screen run. Because of its subtlety, you may miss it. - Look for the hand-tremor of the lead and a smaller hand tremor of his brother later in the story. This masterful supplementing piece of visual storytelling, sets up its own two-option arc which pays off unexpectedly without reliance on wordstuff until the arc's own resolution.