I saw it alongside some other critics (reviewed it for the Boston Phoenix) and one of them (from the Globe) agreed with me that   while it did seem like it was sometimes a bit sentimental or manipulative, the overwhelming effect was profoundly moving and coming from a place of deep spiritual and historical perspective. I also thought the performances were all very genuine, especially the girl who played Pai. I do know some other people who saw it and responded the way Bill did, and I have to say my normal response to sentimentality is negative, but something about this film rose above that and it really worked for me. I think the various conflicts surrounding this family and community were authentic enough   that one coldl accept the magical realism, too. The destitute poverty of rural Maoris, the loss of customs and culture, the problems faced by families who grow away from the old ways. I do not agree with the list of problematic conclusions occuring with the film's final moments.   I thought it was fairly clear that the family would try to find a way to be together and try   to hold to tribal customs in ways that included adjusting to the new: allowing Pai to be the new leader allows her father's new wife to join the family, too.   I did not get the idea that suddenly everything would be perfect; but that what may have been an erosion of community and culture would instead be sustained, even with difficulty.