Hawaii

Actors: Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow, Jocelyne LaGarde, Gene Hackman, Richard Harris, Carroll O'Connor, Manu Tupou, Ted Nobriga, Elizabeth Logue, Torin Thatcher

Rating: 8 out of 10, a true epic in scale and story with a cast that ably delivers. I remembered this mostly from my adolescent days for the topless island girls but its aged well and provides an excellent insight into modern Hawaii and their feelings about haoles. Von Sydow plays possibly the most unlikable lead in epic history and truly out kicks his coverage in the wife department landing Mary Poppins herself but he provides enough nuance to at least understand if not agree with his life choices. LaGarde truly dominates though as the head of the Hawaiian society coming to terms with the white man religion and culture. She’s warm, welcoming, but at the same time totally in charge.

MVP: Jocelyne LaGarde as the Aliʻi Nui, steel eyed softness