If not for the stunning art house success of "Whale Rider" last year, you probably wouldn't have the option of seeing "Her Majesty" in Scottsdale this weekend. Like the former movie, it's about an idealistic Kiwi schoolgirl who empowers herself through Maori culture.

It's important to keep "Whale Rider" in mind, because "Her Majesty" — while sweet in nature — is an exceedingly mediocre drama that probably couldn't crack the art house circuit on its own merits. Released in New Zealand a full year before "Whale Rider" — way back in 2001 — it was deemed suitable for American audiences only after the other movie proved profitable. You must admit, the time lag is somewhat suspicious.

Conversely, the motives of writer- director Mark J. Gordon are not. Set in 1950s New Zealand, the movie practically drips with post-colonial humility. Teen actress Sally Andrews is snaggly and girlish as Elizabeth, a sort of middle-school Walter Mitty whose obsession with Queen Elizabeth reaches a fever pitch when the 27-year-old monarch plans a trip through the girl's picturesque township. Befriending a reclusive old Maori woman, Elizabeth's enthusiasm for all things British is tempered by the shame she feels for the shabby treatment of Maoris. Championing the old woman, she is confronted by the bigotry and elitism of her fellow whites.

If only Gordon had the skills to match his good intentions. "Her Majesty" is dethroned by iffy acting — especially by the kid (Craig Elliot) who plays Elizabeth's racist older brother — false- feeling characters and anemic stabs at comedy. Daydreaming about kissing the queen's hand in a royal ceremony, Elizabeth awakens to find herself kissing ... the headmaster!

Oy, the embarrassment.

"Her Majesty" has too much of this "Looney Tunes"-style wackery for its own good. It's chintzy and contrived and lacks the sophistication of a top-flight coming-of-age movie. Which just goes to show: When you start fishing for whales, you're liable to come up empty.