Legend of Johnny Lingo, The MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +2 Content: +3

Based on a famous short story by Patricia McGerr, The Legend of Johnny Lingo tells the romantic tale of Tama (Tausani Simei-Barton), a young Polynesian boy who was the sole survivor of an early 1900s shipwreck in the South Seas. Shifted from one family to another, Tama eventually makes friends with another outcast, Mahana (Fokikovi Soakimi), the daughter of the village drunk. Tama embarks on a journey in a makeshift sailboat after promising tearful Mahana he will return for her. The legendary Johnny Lingo (George Henare), famous for acquiring great wealth by trading with the islanders, rescues Tama after he nearly dies by starvation. The aging Johnny sees Tamas potential as a successor to his trading business, and the two become like father and son. Eight years pass and Tama (now played by Joe Falou) still remembers his promise to Mahana, but that may be broken when he discovers the truth of his own heritage.

Young Tama and Mahana are constantly taunted and mistreated by the other island children and are neglected or treated as slaves by the adults. They show amazing resilience and learn to cope through their ingenuity. Out of loyalty to her drunken father, Mahana refuses to join Tama on his journey. Tama turns down a prestigious opportunity to remain with the frail Johnny Lingo, his hero and mentor. Johnny teaches Tama that every person has a treasure buried deep within them and that riches are to be used for the benefit of others. Tama believes the islanders when they tell him that he must have come from an evil god until Johnny assures him, You came from a good and great God. The only negatives are some pushing and shoving, drunkenness, and women suggestively gyrating to attract a young mans attention, and these elements are not condoned or rewarded in the film. Virtue, compassion and loyalty are the winners here. Preview strongly recommends The Legend of Johnny Lingo with its adventure, romance, mystery and gorgeous scenery. It may not get much advanced publicity or wide distribution, so watch for it in your city.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Number 8 Productions, LLC