Tenor: My Name Is Pati: Movie Review

Director: Rebecca Tansley

Director Rebecca Tansley's foray into the world of opera and the world of the Pati brothers has an immense charm, but it feels distinctly like a documentary that's afraid to dig too deep into its subjects - or perhaps more worryingly, there's not exactly the depth there to explore.

That's not to denigrate Pene and Amitai Pati, brothers and two-thirds of the excellent pop-opera crossover band Sol3Mio, whose patented brand of classical music and modern sensibilities has proved incredibly - and rightly - popular.

And there's always something to be said for films that represent different cultures and given the Samoan connection to family, there's much here to suggest this genial doco will find a wider audience and support across the board.

But the hint of the more interesting angle in the film - the burden of responsibility eldest brother Pene has on his shoulders - is somewhat sidelined in favour of the fullas revisiting their past and reuniting with family in Samoa.

Even the pressure of being separated from his wife Amina Edris as they both work across the world in operas is only hinted at, a necessary evil of their professions. But Tansley's not keen to either dig deeper into the downside of fame on a relationship.

It's an intriguing thread that's dangled a couple of times in the film - and end footage of Pene recording Nessum Dorma with worries over the quality of his own voice shows him struggling with the prospect and frustrations of failure. 

It's fair to say though that Tenor: My Name is Pati, which purports to be about the two brothers but favours Pene over Amitai is a testament and salute to the power of family, as well as the power of community support.

Tansley makes great fist of archival footage of the brothers growing up, and demonstrates that even with their apparent inherent talent, the duo come from humble beginnings which build on their sense of community dwelling and support. Visiting old rest homes where they worked, checking in on a music teacher who believed in them first and having colleagues espouse almost hyperbolic levels of praise, it's clear there's love for these boys and what they've achieved.

Intrinsic moments, such as exploring the impact of how the New Zealand government's treatment of overstayers in the 1970s merely propelled them to want to achieve success, go some way to painting a portrait of what their achievements are and how integral they've been to their community.

But too often, Tenor: My Name is Pati heads too closely into shying away from going beyond the decency of these boys - it's a fascinating document of how being nice can lead to success, but its darker edges, which cry out for closer examination, are left frustratingly in the wings.