The New World (DVD)

The New World (2005) starring Colin Farrell, Q'Orianka Kilcher, Christian Bale. The New World is a misnomer, since it leads one to believe that the film is going to be about the struggles of European colonists establishing settlements in the Americas during the 1600s. While that's admittedly part of the narrative, it's not the biggest part. This is really the story of Pocahontas (Kilcher), the Native American princess who provided aid to the settlers of Virginia, fell in love with Captain John Smith (Farrell), was exiled by her father, and became the dutiful wife of tobacconist John Rolfe (Bale). All of this occurs against the backdrop of the uneasy relationship that exists between the tribes of "naturals" and the English interlopers. I'm not a big fan of director Terrence Malick, and this film was no exception. The first half of the film was pretty effective, with Captain Smith being captured by the natives, being captivated by their lifestyle, and falling in love with Pocahontas, the chief's daughter. But it really falls apart after Smith returns to Jamestown and becomes re-involved with his fellow Englishmen and their plight there. There are some exciting scenes when fighting breaks out between the natives and the English, but mostly it's just confusing and boring. Grade: C