Hawaii

James Michener had a knack for writing what he considered an average length novel and they would make one of Stephen King's tomes look like a short story. It was for this reason it took two years to adapt a script for HAWAII and even then it only dealt with one part of the book. The story deals with the trials and tribulations of a missionary set to the island to teach the ways of God to the "heathens" as it were. Max Von Sydow does brilliant work in this role though I must say here it is uncanny how much he looked like Christopher Walken (or he like him as would be the case of senior) when he was young. His two real life sons play his film sons here in an interesting choice of casting. Julie Andrews is his long suffering wife and the late great Richard Harris is a whaler captain who was once her suitor. You can figure how their stories unfold for yourself. The big story here is Jocelyne LaGarde as island mother Queen Malama whose only film was this one and she walked away with an Oscar nomination for her efforts. Hawaii also marks early roles for Gene Hackman and Carol O'Connor and is Bette Midler's first big screen appearance. George Roy Hill paints a wonderful picture here from his director's chair and though slow at times HAWAII will provide a fine afternoon's viewing for all.