Backbencher

Whale Rider strikes a heartstring. With its sometimes slow moving, but always impact-filled plot, the viewers find themselves traveling along with Paikea (Pai) and her struggle to please her disappointed grandfather. Pai, is born in to a family whose grandfather, Koro wanted a grandson to carry on the family name, because they are the descendants of the first Maori leader, who supposedly rode a whale. Paikea, the granddaughter was named after the leader.

In the film Koro eventually takes a liking to his granddaughter and we see his softer, more caring side. We watch the pair ride bicycle together, and he lovingly goes to all of her school events. But when the father of Pai, and son of the granddad comes to visit and confesses he has impregnated a white German woman, the grandfather becomes bitter, because he still has no grandson. Koro suggests that his son takes Pai with him and Pai agrees to go. But when she spots the whales in the ocean as she's driving away from home, she finds herself wanting nothing more than to return to her grandfather. She busts through the door of her grandfathers meeting place and announces that she is back, "I'm back, I'm back." Her grandfather has no interest in her anymore, ignoring her shouts he turns back to his conversation. That emotional scene led to many more, Koro soon begins to look for a new leader among the young boys of the community, ignoring Paikea's desire to fulfill her grandfather's dreams.

Pai, still trying to earn her grandfathers love, starts to secretly train, performing all of the tactics her grandfather is teaching, better than any of the boys could. Sticking, and swimming better. When whales wash up on the seashore the friends and family gather together to help keep the whales alive. When their efforts have failed, Pai steps in and gives the movie its title, saving the whales, and touching the heart of every viewer.