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A Review by a Former Tongan Peace Corps Volunteer
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Dec 30, 2007
7
of
8 people found this review helpful
I'm biased. I lived in Tonga for two years (in the village of Kolovai 2000-2002) as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer. I enjoyed watching a cinematic depiction of a culture in which I fell in love. The scenery (though not actually Tongan) and the singing (which was Tongan) had me nostalgic. It made me long to return to the Kingdom and drink some kava with my friends and Tongan family.
“The Other Side of Heaven” admittedly had plenty of faults however. The story was weak and the film felt cluttered with too many disconnected scenes that each attempted to affect undue sentiment. How did John bring back the little boy from death? Was he a miracle worker? What was the point of Mele prostituting herself so stubbornly with the Australian yahties? And the “Perfect Storm” scene with the sailboat? Maybe a bit over the top and unnecessary.
There were a few exaggerations about the Tongan culture, which I couldn’t help pointing out to the annoyance of fellow audience members. Kava does not numb your tongue so much you can’t speak. The actors, many with distinct New Zealand accents, were mostly not Tongan, which I found disappointing. I was willing to overlook these fallacies, however, because the movie made an admirable attempt to portray Tongan life.
I must mention that the “The Other Side of Heaven” smacked of Mormon propaganda. John was depicted as spiritually and morally superior than the heathen Tongan natives. My experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer contrasted with that of a missionary in that I was invited to become a part of a Tongan community so I could learn about their culture and assist in project facilitation upon request, rather than impose my culture and beliefs upon them.
Overall, I was satisfied, if not pleased, with “The Other Side of Heaven” mainly because a production company was willing to spend $9 million about some of the most wonderful people on earth. I am afraid, however, that only other Peace Corps Volunteers from Tonga, Tongan missionaries, and the Tongans themselves will share these sentiments. |
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