Merata Mita's MAURI is a sensitive film despite important narrative and stylistic flaws. The storyline remains much tortuous with its disorienting opening sequence, clumsy narrative progression presenting unclear episodes and some caricatured characters (New Zealand policemen). Some stylistic choices (weird camera angles, use of subjective camera) might also appears gratuitous and sometimes risible. Nevertheless, one feels the undeniable sincerity of the film with its accurate actor's direction and the true grace which springs for the photography of the New Zealand natural landscape. Ending sequence remains extremely powerful with its aerial circular travelling shot which closes the film quite majestically.
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