You may not like what I have to say, but I'm going to say it, anyway.My long-time sweetheart is a high chief in a large Samoan family. Over the course of our 20-year relationship, I have attended many family events with him. We were excited to see this film to compare how they do Samoan weddings in New Zealand, vs. Hawaii, where we live.While we enjoyed it on one level and laughed along with the others, as I reflected on the film afterward, I realized how you missed an opportunity here. As we were walking out of the theater, I commented to him that they should have filmed his family weddings - you would have seen the prayers they offer, the Samoan hymns they sing spontaneously, the dance by both bride and groom, usually in native dress brought from Samoa, the presentation of gifts to the ministers and to the high chiefs of the family.Instead, you presented the same old negative stereotypes of Samoans - getting drunk and starting fights. I know stereotypes can be chipped away when we're presented with new information. For example, my friend's son is a pastor and father to 8 children - all good kids - other family members are police officer, diabetes educator, fire-fighter, serve in Iraq, etc. There has never been a drunken fight at any family event! I realize you are making a comedy - but I wish you had given the audience something MORE than what you did. I know some black actors are refusing roles that promote negative stereotypes of them, so think about it. Make it funny, but make it real!

"Sione's Wedding" was pretty good. It wasn't an earth-shattering, pants-messing, orgasm-inducing, child-bearing, milk-out-the-nose, change-the-world-in-one-day epic, but it was still pretty good. Yes, the plot was predictable, some of the jokes were tired, not all of the acting was spectacular, but to expect something that changes the world is pretty unfair. There are HUGE stars and studio's who have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to create a lot less. I rarely see a genre that is so divisive and inspires so much animosity as comedy. Why? Nothing places people more squarely into the "like" or "absolutely hate" category.I found "Sione's Wedding" to be a good story about men, who just happen to be Samoan, who have a typical "Peter-pan complex" and are rebelling against growing up every chance they get until they actually see the benefit of maturity and wisdom. This is a common and modern theme. Some of the moments were genuinely touching and some of the jokes really really funny.I can tell you this, though, it is the only full-length motion picture comedy with a fully Samoan ensemble cast that I've ever seen, at least here in the states. Doesn't this account for something? Not bad for a first try, I say.

Siones Wedding is a kiwi comedy with a Polynesian twist.It has all the right ingredients to make this movie enjoyable for all ages. (Well maybe not the under 13's due to some sexual references).The plot is basically, four close friends from childhood are all in their thirties and not showing any signs of growing up. They have a reputation of spoiling important events at family/friends functions due to their immaturity and fondness for alcohol. (These are caught on home video which will have you in stitches!) Due to their latest antics the family and friends have their church minister inform them that are banned from attending Siones (Totally over-acted by Pua Magasiva) wedding which is Michaels (Robbie Magasiva) brother (both off and on screen). They offer the idea of them all attending with respectable partners to the minister, to which he and Sione agree. So you get the idea now right? Oscar Knightley plays Albert, a shy 30ish guy still living at home with his mum. He came across as very genuine, likable but most importantly believable.Leilani, was convincingly portrayed by Teuila Blakely as Sefas long suffering live in girlfriend.Sefa (Shimpal Lelisi)has the ability to make you laugh by facial expressions alone and Stan (Iaheto Ah Hi) has a wild time waiting for his dream girl from a chat line (a la Hot Gossip, yeah, you know!) Derek (David Van Horn) the European guy at Alberts office who tries to speak Samoan is a total crack up! Ma low eeoowsoo! For the girls, your eye candy is Robbie and Pua Magasiva, and for the guys it is Maryjane McKibbon-Schwenke.Sure the movie is predictable, but don't let that in the least stop you from seeing it. You will not be disappointed, go in expecting little and come out feeling good about spending your $14.00. This movie is well worth it! The only thing that bugged me was the jail scene which is a total Fresh Prince of Bel Air rip off. But whats done is done! Go and see it, a great date movie

I just came back from the Blenheim Cinema and all I could think of was to tell as many people as I could that I just watched a totally brilliant kiwi film. The film is more or less about 4 Samoan friends in their thirties and their quest to find a date to bring with them to Sione's (Pua Magasiva) wedding. The film is a brilliant portrayal of life in the contemporary Samoan community of Auckland, sort of reinforcing the stereotypical Kiwi Samoan guy. This film reminds me a lot of Australia's 2000 film "The Wog Boy" which is centered around the antics of a couple of guys from Melbourne's Italian & Greek community which reinforces those ethnic stereotypes as well.I found Oscar Knightley's performance as "Albert" a shy guy in his thirties who still lives with his mum to be totally outstanding, his acting was very genuine and convincing.The story was strong and held together very well, the movie was very straight to the point without any needless scenes that causes the mind to wander.The Cinematography was great, I love all the scenes of Auckland, really gave it that "Aucklandy feel" if you know what I mean.I think New Zealand should be making more films based around the lives of the Pacific Islander communities, this would give the world a broader picture of life in contemporary New Zealand.I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good comedy and at the same time would like a peek into the life and times of Auckland's Samoan community.