Big NZ hit The Dark Horse gallops into Australian cinemas with full head of steam.

MOVIE Review: The Dark Horse is the true story of the late Genesis Potini, a Maori chess genius who battled a bipolar disorder throughout his life.

AFTER a record-breaking run at home in New Zealand, this heavy-hitting drama crosses the Tasman with big wraps attached.

Thankfully, The Dark Horse does live up to all the acclaim, largely due to a towering performance by veteran Kiwi actor Cliff Curtis.

A familiar face to Australian audiences through work on home turf (Once Were Warriors, Whale Rider, Boy) and in Hollywood (Live Free Or Die Hard), Curtis owns the screen here with a complex, heart-piercing depiction of a most memorable and unusual man.

Cliff Curtis and James Rolleston in the film The Dark Horse. Picture: Supplied.

The late Genesis Potini (Curtis) spent much of his adult life drifting in and out of mental health facilities owing to a pronounced bipolar disorder.

This feature film take on his tale focuses on a single achievement for which he is rightly revered to this day.

As a byproduct of his condition, Potini harboured a rare genius for chess. The Dark Horse zeros in on the years Potini harnessed his prowess to teach disadvantaged children in his community to play the game at an elite level.

The scale and significance of Potini’s efforts become all the more remarkable when viewed through the filter of Curtis’ committed performance.

Even on his best days, Potini struggled to hang on to a coherent state of mind for more than hours at a time.

Curtis owns the screen with a complex, heart-piercing depiction of a most memorable and unusual man. Picture: Supplied.

Incorrect medication levels played a part in maintaining his addled demeanour, as did the sustained stress of living in an environment that can hardly be labelled nurturing.

In fact, The Dark Horse shares more than a few things in common with Once Were Warriors for the uncompromising way in which he explores contemporary Maori life and its disconnect with white New Zealand culture.

There will be cynics who write off The Dark Horse as aping the likes of A Beautiful Mind or Shine to score some easy emotional points from viewers.

The nay-sayers should look as closely as they can at Curtis’ affecting performance. There is no denying the sincerity or sadness he conveys.

The Dark Horse (M)

Director: James Napier Robertson (I’m Not Harry Jenson)

Starring: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Kirk Torrance, Miriama McDowall.

Rating: ****

A long, lonely ride to a better place

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Originally published as Big NZ hit The Dark Horse gallops into Australian cinemas with full head of steam.