the audience applauded

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

A Masterpiece!

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

"Christmas in the Clouds" is a charming romantic, Native American take on "Fawlty Towers".Set at a Utah resort that's Indian tribal owned and operated (as was the production of the film), with a majority Indian cast, the plot entanglements and eventual resolution in debut writer/director Kate Montgomery's film are pretty obvious from the first ten minutes, but how the colorful characters get there is fun. The opening voice over narration is a bit awkward in setting up the situation for the mistaken identities, but the introduction of each eccentric character is quite entertaining. While the plot contrivance in romantic travails probably goes back further than Shakespeare, the dialog that keeps the mistakes going in double entendres is amusing (including her as a NY Mohawk "passing" as NY Italian by using her father's last name).Amidst the funny running joke about romance novels' depiction of a "savage" lover, Timothy Vahle as "Ray Clouds on Fire" and Mariana Tosca as "Tina Little Hawk" are staggeringly gorgeous, but they each bring a wariness and neediness to their characters that has you rooting for them more than for the vicarious thrill of watching beautiful people kiss on screen. We rarely see in films educated off-the-rez professionals like them back home, having returned to their families for emotional personal reasons (it's inferred that his ex was non-Indian). The parent/child relationships throughout are much warmer than any we've seen before in the few Indian films.There are jokes throughout on Indian stereotypes in image and language, and that's the term the characters use, not Native American. Here the alcoholic, alienated father is the white guy, M. Emmet Walsh, who is both comic and touching. But none of the whites are played for stereotypes (including a cute flirtation between a British guest and "Ray"s father, played by a solid Sam Vlahos). In another reverse, this may be Wes Studi's only comic performance, in a cameo as a guest bingo caller. Singer Rita Coolidge of the distinctive husky voice also has a brief cameo as "Tina"s mother. Graham Greene is very funny as a vegetarian chef with serious issues about his menu. There is some contemporary Native American music on the soundtrack and lovely performances of translated Chrismas carols.The tiny budget is obvious with some continuity errors and background shots with inconsistent snow/no snow, but the Utah scenery is lovely, and this is much more about the people up front than the details in the background. What a shame that I was the only one in the theater in NYC, when a broad stereotyped ethnic romantic comedy like "Big Fat Greek Wedding" was a hit. While I would enjoy following these characters in a continued life in a sit com, this sweet little film could have an extended life as a holiday staple on cable, like on the Hallmark Channel.

It's a great Christmas film that warms the heart and doesn't leave you feeling like you've wasted your time. Although the film takes a few minutes to pick up, once the story (mostly the dramatic conflict) and the actors get going you find yourself watching a delightfully entertaining and precious film. All of the actors have great moments where it is clear that they have truly connected with their characters in an honest and believable way, there is really no moment where I thought to myself "I just don't believe him (her)." It's a film that is safe for and accessible to the entire family- a rarity in our world today. To miss out on this little gem would mean missing out on an opportunity for you and your loved one's to spend a fun and charming evening together at the cinema.

I saw this film in an almost-completed version a couple of years ago at the Palm Springs Native American Film Festival. The audience loved it. A lot of people have been waiting with crossed fingers hoping it would find a distributor for a big nationwide release.It's fresh like the mountain air of it's setting. It's laugh out loud funny and somehow manages to be heart warming without being schmaltzy. The cast of newcomers and old favorites like Graham Greene and Rita Coolidge deliver fine performances in every role. Couldn't have come at a better time. We can celebrate this delightful holiday surprise for the whole family together at the movies!

This film is worth every penny of the ticket price if you can get to see it anywhere. I have no idea why it still needs a distributor, unless the Native American setting is a concern to the money men? Shouldn't be. The humor and romance subplots cross all age groups, ethnic groups and class lines. The men I know who saw it at the film festival really liked it, so it's not just a chick or kid flick. It's more charming than You've Got Mail, more interesting than Whale Rider, funnier than Love, Actually, and it has more appeal for a wide audience than Something's Got to Give. Like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, it's the kind of story you'd send everybody you know to see (and this ensemble would make a better, less clichéd basis for a weekly TV sitcom). I'd buy the DVD in a heartbeat, plus buy more for my friends and family if they would just offer it for sale. The world needs more comedies like this!