Starring: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Kirk Torrance
The Dark Horse
Director: James Napier Robertson
Rating: 4/5
A movie that has been whipping up a storm in its native New Zealand and on the festival circuit of late is The Dark Horse, which sees James Napier Robertson return to the director's chair for his second feature film.
The movie sees Cliff Curtis take on the central role of Genesis, in what is being called the best performance of his acting career to date.
The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand Hero and chess champion - Genesis Potini, aka Gen.
The Dark Horse is an emotionally charged, provocative drama about a man who searches for the courage to lead, despite his own adversities - finding purpose and hope in passing on his gift to the children in his community.
Cliff Curtis is perhaps not a household acting name but film fans will know him from the likes of Sunshine and Die Hard 4.0, however, his performance as Genesis in The Dark Horse really does have everyone raving. And the hype is no exaggeration as Curtis really is terrific from start to finish - I agree with those who are calling it 'the best performance of his career.'
Curtis really does get under the skin of Genesis Potini to paint the picture of a man who has a huge and kind heart and yet struggles with his mind - it really is a committed performance that shows just what kind of man Potini was.
The strength of this movie really does lie in this central performance, as it is as funny as it is totally heart-breaking. While Potini may not be known to many, his work really did have a huge impact on the lives on those around him and it is great to see him recognised in this way.
James Napier Robertson is not a hugely experience filmmaker, and yet he has delivered a poignant and true film - and you can really feel the regard and the respect for which Potini is held in by everyone who has worked on this film.
The Dark Horse is a moving story of redemption and peels away the layers of a man who just wanted to make a difference to the young people that he saw around him.
The script is terrific and Robertson really does excel behind the camera, but it is the performance of Curtis that really stands out in this film. This is just a piece of perfect casting. Curtis delivers a potent, moving, and yet troubled performance that is not to be missed.