POCAHONTAS
A film review by David G. Martin
Copyright 1995 David G. Martin
Nobody was looking forwards to the premiere of POCAHONTAS more than I. As I ran out to my ride before the movie, my stomach was tied in knots... I was a nervous wreck. Warned I would be disappointed, scared by bad reviews and expectations lifted by good ones, I fearfully awaited the verdict ... is Pocahontas a soaring success, or an overblown failure?
Walking out of the theatre, lost in contemplation, I would have quietly voiced a "so-so" review, with a grade of "B-." To say I was disappointed isn't exactly it ... it was not what I was expecting.
However, more than three days of heavy pondering have really changed my opinion. Be warned ... you cannot simply leave the theatre, already having decided if the movie was "good" or "bad." I have been thinking about nothing but the movie for the past three days, and now I think I truly understand it, and truly appreciate this film.
POCAHONTAS is an experience completely unlike anything ever made before. Beneath the oddly-scripted, strangely-paced story lies a beautiful, deeply spiritual film, a masterpiece in a category all its own.
You cannot assign a grade to this film: you cannot compare it to any other movie. I believe Pocahontas herself would have said that 'grading or comparing the movie is like chaining an eagle: you can do it, and it makes the eagle easier to look at, but robs the creature of its spirit and dignity. Eagles were meant to soar, free as the "wild mountain stream" ... and so is POCAHONTAS.
The movie is not about love. It is not about hate or even misunderstanding. It is about the Pocahontas in all of us, the restless spirit who longs to bridge the chasm between what is right, and what should be right (but it not), the Powhatan in us who clings to what is familiar, and the John Smith who would like to gain the new without losing the old. It is a film about the savage in everyone, as well as the nobility. It is about truth, the truth that we are all the same in the eyes of the world.
Pocahontas herself is the most memorable character in Disney history. Her double-edged gift is her indomitable curiosity and need for change ... even though is leads her to many spiritual and physical joys from the environment around her, it sets her apart from her fellows. She appeals to me because she is alone in her world, the only world she knows... as are many of us today. Yet, her blood is the same blood as flows in her people, steady and smooth. Thus, she both respects tradition and thrives on change. Not wild enough to be special and understood by her people, nor traditional enough to be one of them, Pocahontas is truly isolated psychologically, save for the kindred Grandmother Willow, who cannot even begin to qualm her need for adventure. Nakoma, Pocahontas' best friend, has begun to pull away from her ... for as they grow older, Nakoma is preparing herself for an adult life, and hence slowly isolating herself from her friend. Nakoma is also as traditional as her people, and so can never really understand Pocahontas.
So then it is fated that John Smith and Pocahontas become soul-mates, for he is her kindred spirit. Smith too is alone in his world, in the same way Pocahontas is. His entire world has become based around his reputation and his life abroad. One gets the impression that he has never been appreciated as a person, and so has never really been emotionally secure in any way. The men revere him, but cannot see him as a friend, leaving him a man with himself. He treats everyone in a loose, aloof manner, so that he never faces rejection or heartache.
And spirit knows when meeting one of its own kind ... Pocahontas and John Smith have more than the forbidden romance. It is the only relationship that either could ever be totally fulfilled by.
Which is why the end is not tragic nor disturbingly sad. John Smith tells Pocahontas that they will always be together, and this holds to the end. They each carry a part of the other's soul, and so no expanse of ocean will ever part them.
And they have both gained something by the time they part, something to fine and subtle to put a point on. However, we know that Pocahontas has found her calling ... to promote peace between the two peoples that she is so close to, and John Smith now knows that it is safe to love, and safe to treat other people with compassion and respect. He has learned to look at the world with praising, rather than appraising, eyes.
After saying that, I must get into the less spiritual aspects of the film. The animation, with the exception of some very badly drawn scenes of the Englishmen towards the beginning and middle of the film, is stirringly lush and spectacularly grand in scale. The backgrounds are sweepingly majestic, to the point of overwhelming. The character design leaves very little to be desired, with the possible exception of Kekata, and the characters are truly realistic and move well.
The voice actors are all exceptional. Irene Bedard provided a delightfully perky voice for Pocahontas, and Judy Kuhn as her singing voice neared "too perfect to be real." Russell Means did a stirring and very real job as Powhatan. However, Jim Cummings as the singing voice of both Powhatan and Kekata sounded unfortunately off-key and undignified. Mel Gibson provided a wonderfully bravado voice for John Smith, and Christian Bale was excellent as the charmingly apathetic Thomas. David Ogden Stiers, doing double duty as both Wiggins (who was quite endearingly simpy) and Ratcliffe (who was blessedly obnoxious) was lovely. Billy Connolly and Joe Baker as Ben and Lon were both amusing. Linda Hunt is perfectly crackly as Grandmother Willow, and Kocoum's voice (?) gives a good, solid performance, as did Kekata's voice (?). Unfortunately, Michelle St.John, while blessed with a great voice, in times gave a mediocre and over-acted job, but the rest of the time she did another solid performance.
At any rate, this is a powerfully moving film, intensely moody and unusually sensuous. It truly deserves the name of POCAHONTAS, for it is less of the legendary romance between John Smith and Pocahontas, and more of one young woman's fight to save all that she loves while still changing with her changing world. The real Pocahontas (Matoaka?) would have been proud of her legend.
One request ... please do not walk into that theatre, expecting ALADDIN or THE LION KING. POCAHONTAS is neither. If you expect a whimsical fable, go elsewheres. POCAHONTAS is a grave, adult account of a dark time in American history. This film is not a masterpiece ... it was not intended to be one. It is a unique and moving film, and not quite like anything you will ever see again.
And it easily deserves a place among the spiritually rousing films of all time.
BEST MENTIONS GO TO...
Animation: Meeko (Nik Ranieri), who was absolutely delightful. Voice Acting: Irene Bedard (Pocahontas), who conveyed love, anger, fear, curiosity, and a number of other emotions that I can't even name. Character Design: Pocahontas (Glen Keane), who also gets kudos for best hair stylist. :-) Song: "Just Around the River Bend." While not as meaningful as "Colors of the Wind," it is a wonderfully spritely song sung by the astounding Judy Kuhn.
DECIDED WORST OF THE BUNCH...
Animation: Nakoma (Duncan Majoribanks) who was a constant appearance disappointment. Voice Acting: Kekata (?), who was rather dry and predictable. Character Design: Nakoma again, who looks like she could just as easily star in THE LEGEND OF FA MULAN. Song: "Listen With Your Heart," for being too depressingly short.
-- Melissa Martin FDCMuck Pocahontas Pocahontas Archive Maintainer
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