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10 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
Different from the original, and almost as good. See it for character closure., 19 February 2004
8/10
Author: manalone923 from California, USA

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

For those who don't know the story of Once Were Warriors (and should watch it before this one), it's the story of a strong, culturally proud woman trying her best to keep her family together through the horrors of death and her husband's fierce alcoholism. It's also one of the most outstanding movies I've ever seen in my 28 years.

To review the sequel, the BASIC plot needs to be explained, so potential spoilers may come out- but no twists, developments, or ending will be revealed. The plot centers on the death of a character I'll call "X".

To begin with, I differ from the review that anyone who liked Warriors "will hate this film". Not so. I adored Warriors and still felt excitement and sadness watching this one. The story centers on Jake, tyrant husband of the first film. He's down and out, living alone in his old house while his ex-wife Beth has moved on. There is another death in the family, the funeral comes quickly, and emotions are high as Jake respectfully attends but keeps his distance.

Jake's violence has gotten him banished from his bar and caused a confrontation with his ex-wife's son, Sonny. He's in a new relationship but still can't stop drinking. He's hitting bottom, and seeing calls for change everywhere.

Meanwhile Sonny and X's companion seek revenge on the gang member responsible for X's death. In doing so they enlist in a gang themselves, and it becomes apparent that Sonny is falling into the same pattern of violence that Jake knows all too well.

Jake wants to change and may be able to help Sonny before he goes too far. But a lot must be done first, and Jake's involvement has already complicated things more than he or Sonny knows.

This is the main setup for Broken. There's 4 central characters- Jake, Sonny, X's companion and the gang leader. The relationships are volatile and interwoven, and all the actors do a great job, especially Temuera Morrison as Jake, who transitions into this movie as if he just walked off of the first film. Supporting characters are good too, most importantly Rena Owen as Beth Heke, Jake's wife. I was sad to see that she didn't have much screen time here, which is fair because the main point this time is Jake's relationship with Sonny and his quest for revenge. But I couldn't help feeling recognition and comfort when I saw Jake and Beth have their few scenes together. They were such equally powerful figures in the first film, but here, it's appropriate that they don't interact much- it reminds us why they're separate in the first place, and we can feel the chemistry still working as they say some important things to each other. These scenes alone are worth seeing for fans of the original.

I won't disclose more. Some questions are raised, but other things are subtly laid to rest, as we leave the movie with fuller understanding of the characters and their motives.

My only real complaint could be major depending on taste. I won't say what happens at the end, but I will say that it was more abrupt than I thought. Not in a way that hinders the story or leaves you wondering, but in a literal way- the credits pop up when I thought there'd be at least another minute of wrap-up. It doesn't ruin the film by any means, it just came kind of suddenly, and left me hoping for a bit more of an epilogue, an extra minute to let everything sink in. I was left thinking that I had just seen some good, strong stuff, but was awaiting what I thought would be the "final" scene and got the credits instead.

There's a bit more of an actiony feel towards the finale as well, which was done well enough and didn't betray the plot or motivations but didn't feel as satisfying or powerful as the final scenes of the original. Perhaps it was the choice of music more than anything. But again, the only thing that bothered me enough to lower the movie's final score was the lack of what I thought would be one final tie-up scene. The ending is definitely a resolution that answers questions; for me it just came down to waiting for that last scene of important dialog, and being surprised at the credits instead. I WAS still satisfied, the last lines felt appropriate and conveyed what I was hoping to hear, just in fewer words.

Besides, to balance these quibbles, the main bulk of the film is good, and at the very least, flat-out interesting. It's interesting to see the world begin to shun Jake this time, finally making him fess up to the thought of change. And several scenes are powerful with words, not action- such as when Jake encounters Sonny in his house later in the film or when he sheepishly asks for Sonny's address on Beth's doorstep. It didn't feel like I was watching a movie for much of this, especially those two scenes- Instead, it felt like I was seeing two people I'd known a long time, reacting to situations I always wondered they might get into.

In closing, I feel the movie isn't as good as Warriors, mainly because it was just a very hard act to follow. But I was still satisfied with WBOTBH, both as a follow up to Warriors and as a film by itself. It's very powerful and serious, but with more of an emphasis on vengeance and redemption than pride and hope. Still, Jake is the weight of this film- his motives and actions are under our microscope, and it's fascinating to watch and see how it all turns out. Good movies both, and I strongly recommend you see them. If you have already seen Warriors, don't hesitate to give this one a try.

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11 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
What became of the last ten minutes?, 10 June 2001
7/10
Author: Peter Elefant from Denmark

I've seen "Once Were Warriors" and must say I found myself quite taken by it. So it was a day of much rejoicence, when I found out, that a sequel had been made. I bought it, and have just seen it. And.

There's a certain nostalgic feel, to seeing Jake the Muss and co. again. As they are very interesting characters, I was naturally interested in seeing how they were doing. And I was happy for Jake, when I found out that maybe he was finally realizing his responsobility. It's good to see someone mending.

But what's with the title, ehh?? Can you tell me that?!? A title like "What becomes of the Broken Hearted?" makes me all soft inside of that dark, sinister evilminded spirit of mine (Took that last bit a little to far, didn't I?). But there's absolutely no answer to that question, as the film shifts from drama to action-movie featuring Jake the Muss, Snake-gangs and some bold guy with a lot of freakin' tattoos! It's not really fun to watch. It doesn't say much about anything or anyone, and it offers no answer to that question it raises. It just ends for no reason what so ever.

There's some dad-son stuff. Some repending. A little bit of anger, hate, love-stuff, but we've seen that stuff before, haven't we folks?

I'll give this one 7, becuase I'm just a sentimental, softhearted (rich, goodlooking (You never know what kinda chicks might read this stuff) kinda guy. If you haven't seen "Once Were Warriors" you're going to hate this one for sure.

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7 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Hard act to follow, 15 December 2001
7/10
Author: Alex Brown (alex_brown@blueyonder.co.uk) from Woking, England

One thing that was inevitable about this film -- it was never going to be able to have anywhere near the impact of what it is the sequel for -- Once Were Warriors.

This isn't bad, but at the same time it's not great. Morrison resurrects Jake Heke, who is now fighting to save his son from a gang lifestyle after another of his sons is killed in a gangland shootout.

An excellent performance in a supporting role from Rawiri Paratene is probably the highlight of this tale, but I must admit that, by the end, I was beginning to recall again just how much writer Alan Duff gets on my nerves.

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9 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
Different to Warriors, but not inferior, 2 August 1999
Author: cynic-7 from Australia

Anyone expecting this film to be Once Were Warriors 2: The Continuing Misadventures of Jake the Muss will be disappointed. It stands as a great drama in its own right, and as a follow up to Once Were Warriors.

I think the reason it has come under heavy critical fire is because people were expecting it to be more of a sequel than a follow up, and were also expecting a similar emotional experience to Warriors, which is entirely different in this movie.

While Warriors wrenched your emotions back and forth, Broken Hearted barely has a scene without tension and sadness. There is no room to breath in this film, not even at the final reel, when we are suddenly confronted with the credits. A great film, and a great experience.

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6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Strong Temuera Morrison, 19 July 1999
Author: Steve Baker (s.baker@iig.com.au) from Cairns Australia

It's impossible to consider What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? without remembering, its predecessor Once Were Warriors.

I remember two separate women weeping, slumped in their cinema seats for minutes, after the conclusion of the harrowing Once Were Warriors; a movie that depicted the terror of domestic violence.

I remember some Maori friends telling me that on the contrary, they laughed during Warriors because the film was so much like home in New Zealand. That's a sobering revelation. I suppose that laughter can sometimes be a healing force.

Recently the writer of both of these films, Alan Duff, explained on ABC radio that he wasn't a pariah with the Maori community in New Zealand as had been claimed by some in the media. He explained that anyway if there had been Maoris after him, he'd "be dead meat by now." A statement that perhaps accentuates the veracity of the source material.

Once Were Warriors was literally a stunning film and was centered about Beth, Jake's wife (Rena Owen) as she tries to deal with her violent husband. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? moves a few years on.

Beth has left Jake and one of their sons Nig has become a member of an Auckland gang. He dies in a fight and his brother Sonny (Clint Ereura) teams up with Nig's former girlfriend Tania (Nancy Brunning) to get revenge.

Jake meanwhile is tying to come to terms with his violence. He's lost his daughter and one of his sons and has become estranged from his wife and remaining son. Something seems to be wrong but Jake has trouble controlling his temper.

Temuera Morrison was awesome as Jake in Warriors and again he's fascinating in What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?.

However What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? isn't in the same class as Warriors. It's much better than the average gang, action movie but has far too much shallowness, too many stolid, severe looks, and far too little real involvement with the characters to rate in the same class as the first in the series.

There are some high (low) points in What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? though. Jake breaks loose at one stage in his girlfriend's house. It's a portrayal of senseless, out of control, drunken violence that is memorable and unfortunately common in real life.

And then there's Tania when she begins singing in a record store; a scene that somehow moves beyond the ridiculous firmly into the charming. And Jake whacking those bikies heads in with spanners is pretty strong.

Temuera Morrison does hurtle us strongly into Jake's world. I hope there haven't been too many Jakes in your neighborhood.

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5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Finding redemption in your own back yard, 3 June 2001
Author: Philby-3 from Sydney, Australia

*** This review may contain spoilers ***



This is a sequel to the brilliant and harrowing `Once Were Warriors' (1994) and is also set in the gang-infested boondocks of South Auckland, New Zealand. The central character, Jake (Temuera Morrison), would have been a fine warrior 150 years ago but is now a beefy drunk who cannot stay out of a fight. As a result of events in the earlier film his wife (Rena Owen here in a small part) and family have left him and he is living alone in squalor. He is shaken out of his lethargy by the death of Nig (Julian Arahanga), one of his sons, in suspicious circumstances. Nig dies in a gang battle apparently shot by his own side. Another son Sonny (Clint Eruera) joins the opposing gang with Nig's girlfriend Tania (Nancy Brunning) to seek revenge, and Jake, a hater of gangs, winds up trying to save his remaining son.

As the ruined warrior, Temuera Morrison is a splendid sight and he dominates the film. The other major figure of menace, Grunt the gang boss, despite his impressive premises, is a routine nasty by comparison. Sonny spends most of the picture looking confused but this is only to be expected from someone who commits the cardinal error of giving a hit man all the money for the job up-front. Nancy Brunning is soft and vulnerable as the tragic Tania and Edna Stirling is interesting as Jake's girlfriend Rita.

On one level this is just an action-revenge flick in an exotic (if unglamorous) modern Polynesian setting, and a bit slow at that. Yet there is also the thread of history and tradition running through it. The gangs are not far removed from the tribes of pre-European Maori life and the need for mana (respect) and utu (revenge) are still very much present. The original author, Alan Duff, has the reputation of being a cultural conservative who wants to save Maori culture by hanging on to the values of the past. Ironically he happens to be part European himself and a son of a high (English) culture writer, Oliver Duff.

As an ex-New Zealander, I experienced several emotions at once about this film. Gee it's nice to see a strong story done by pros about little old NZ up there on screen, gosh what a mess South Auckland has become, gee, I'm glad I left. Jake, of course, alienated from his family, could leave for foreign shores, but doesn't. Alan Duff is rather suggesting he shouldn't. If he is to be redeemed, it will be in his own land.

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8 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
A tidy follow up, 31 January 2004
6/10
Author: SmokeyTee from Wellington, New Zealand

I was impressed when I first saw this film. Once Were Warriors gave us here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) a new perspective into some of our peoples lifestyles. However it was a bitter pill, the violence overwhelming at times.

In this the second film, the main character Jake 'the muscles' Heke confronts his own demons and fights to reclaim his whanau (family). This film was a welcome addition for me, while it tied up all the lose ends a little too tidily I was grateful to see Jake's transition.

This contained very little of the originals dynamic appeal and will certainly not hold the appeal of the first to the people who actually enjoyed the violence in Once Were Warriors. For those of us who cared about the characters and hoped for their salvation this film is a must see.

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Acceptable Viewing, 3 February 2002
Author: Razzberri from Tauranga, New Zealand

I found the movie to have a significant number of 'loop holes' if I may, some parts of the story did not flow on from 'Warriors'. Great acting, from both old and new. Hats off to Nancy Brunning for her brilliant acting, and also to Temuera Morrison, for having the courage to play 'Jake' again. A moving and brutal sequel to 'Warriors', however, in my opinion, the First is always the best!! Rock on 'Once were Warriors'!!

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
A solid sequel to 'Once Were Warriors' sees Jake the Muss back in action., 29 May 1999
7/10
Author: BUGGERNUTS from Ratana, New Zealand

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Doesn't do much for the original as a sequel but 'Broken Hearted' stands on it's own quite well. It has a totally different feel compared to the original. It is suspenseful, action-packed and exciting.

Tem Morrison gives another brilliant performance as Jake 'The Muss' Heke. Here Jake turns from a drunk and violent Maori wife-beater into a loveable hero, kind of like how Schwarzenegger did in the sequel to The Terminator. Where the original was his wife's story, 'Broken Hearted' is his story of what happens to him after his family has left him, but is also the tale of what happens when his son Nig is killed in a gang fight and his other son's quest for revenge. It is almost more of an action movie than anything else. It rolls into a great movie but is almost ruined by someone's goofy idea to end it abruptly at the most stupidest place possible.

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3 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
An adequate sequel, but packing less punch (pardon the pun!), 26 March 2008
6/10
Author: GrowlyCubNZ from London, United Kingdom

I remember seeing this film when it aired on TV in New Zealand. I was staying in a backpackers lodge and to my horror Jake the Muss drove his car down my street! I had to pinch myself, before I realised that I was in fact staying in one of the locations used in the film. For a moment I thought it was a security camera I was viewing outside! From what I remember the film doesn't carry the impact of Once Were Warriors, which people still mention here in London when I tell them I'm from New Zealand. None of them however have even heard of this sequel, which I think says it all. It wasn't a bad film, but definitely requires seeing the original for it to have any meaning.

(Some people have been confused by the film's title. It is in fact a lyric from a song which was very popular in New Zealand when I was a kid in the 80's. As the film picks up from the characters shattered lives in the first feature, it is quite appropriate. So just what become of the broken hearted? Watch the film and find out).

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