Great parts to a fair film.

Rating: 6/10 (4 July 2001)

This film has some great things about it. Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, Sam Neill, and Harvey Keitel are in top form. Director Jane Campion does a remarkable job. The cinematography catches the beauty of New Zealand perfectly. The problem lies in the script. It is slow moving, plodding, and rather predictable. And within its tight confines, the characters don't get a chance to grow. All in all, this film has some interesting and intriguing parts, but the whole is not as good as the parts. 6 of 10