Review of The New World (2005) by James H — 05 Apr 2009

Love made the bond. Love can break it.

And so Christian Bale laid the foundation for a rather quotable quote. As the English settler John Rolfe, he is the tree that shelters Pocahontas and the shining beacon that brought her out of her misery. The legendary figure of Pocahontas was brought to life not by Irene Bedard (although she has a part in the movie as Pocahontas? mother), who voiced the character in the cartoon version years ago, but 14-year old Q?Orianka Kilcher. Yes. A fourteen year old worked with two of Hollywood?s hottest leading men: Colin Farrell and Christian Bale.

Like the Disney movie, The New World tells the story of Pocahontas (Kilcher), the legendary Indian princess who falls in love with English settler John Smith (Farrell), but due to certain circumstances they are forced apart. During the English colonization of Pocahontas? tribe, she meets another English settler, John Rolfe (Bale). He is struck by her grace and undeniable beauty, and despite her initial avoidance of his courtship, he falls in love with her. All the while Pocahontas is pining for her first love, who she believes died at sea. In truth, Smith is alive and well, and is discovering new lands. He told one of the settlers to send Pocahontas false news of his death, thus preventing her from coming after him.

Rolfe and Pocahontas marry, and as man and wife, they start a farm of their own. Rolfe gives Pocahontas all his love, even though he knows that every day she is still thinking about Smith. He believes that only through love can she be brought back from her deep state of sadness and loneliness, and this proves true when the time comes for her to choose between him and Smith.

Because of her beauty and grace, Pocahontas is sent to Britain as a royal guest. An Indian warrior from her tribe, Rolfe, and her son accompany her. It is there where Rolfe invites Smith to their home ? and after all those years, Pocahontas comes face-to-face with the man she once loved. In the end, she chooses Rolfe, who has been with her all through those years when she needed someone to cling to.

The movie stays true to the original story of Pocahontas ? shortly after their visit to Britain, Pocahontas falls ill on the voyage back home and dies. It is through the narration of Bale where we find out that the movie was told through his recollection of his wife?s life: ?I am writing this recollection of your mother?s life so that you may know her and the things she went through before and after you were born. My son, your mother fell ill on the voyage home.?

In its entirety, you may feel overwhelmed by the lack of dialogue (hardly any lines are actually spoken, except when the actors are voicing their thoughts), but you cannot help but marvel at the seemingly effortlessness Kilcher, Farrell, and Bale have in expressing their emotions through their facial expressions. The joy and love that flowed between Pocahontas and John Smith, the grief and silent suffering Pocahontas went through after John Smith?s departure; even the loyalty and devotion of John Rolfe were effectively expressed. I find it thrilling that a fourteen-year old could actually keep up with seasoned actors nearly twice her age. Romance, history, stunning location shoots - The New World delivers that and more.