Very Cool!!!

A Brilliant Conflict

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

A made-for-TV film, based on a book by Tony Hillerman. A writer of whom I've read nothing yet, nor seen any of the other adaptations of his work. So I can't compare this film to the book. It's about an Indian legend involving "Skinwalkers" or shape-shifters, or more commonly called, "bad medicine men". Indian residents of the state Utah are getting murdered. Evidence points toward such a being with mythical powers as the the evil-doer. Or could it just be a human killer, working his own, personal agenda?A decent film, that, while featuring little action and tension, never gets boring. The murder mystery plot (with two investigating police officers teaming up, both with native roots) unfolds at a decent pace and feels cleverly enough put together. It's more about the characters and story. About the only actor I was familiar with, was Wes Studi, playing the grumpy Lt. Leaphorn. The one actress I probably liked the most, was Sheila Tousey, who played his wife. She had such a kind, honest and spirited character. The rest of the cast was a mixed bunch. Adam Beach did a fair job in carrying the film as a semi-leading character (Lt. Leaphorn's local help, officer Jim Chee). There's little to no violence & bloodshed in this one. Something worth watching on TV when it comes on, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to seek it out. I got my copy during sales period for about $3, so I have no regrets. An okay watch.

I just have to say after being a fan on Tony Hillerman's for years that I was afraid what would happen to my favorite characters if they were adapted to the big screen. I was afraid I would fall asleep as I did in the Lou Diamond Phillips version. However Wes, Adam, Chris and everyone associated with this project did a great job. I look forward to more adaptations. Thanks Mr. Hillerman for taking a chance on your characters that you created being adapted for film.

This beautifully cast motion picture really brought to life Tony Hillerman's Skinwalkers. It is impossible to exact a movie from a novel and I am glad to see that James Redford did not even try. What he did was give life to Chee and Leaphorn who I know so well in my mind. He also brought life to a place of beauty and pain that few people even know about. It think this movie was very well acted by Wes Studi, Adam Beach, and the rest of the supporting cast. I would love to see more of Tony Hillerman's wonderful southwest brought to the screen. This movie as well as his novels give us an insight into a culture that is fascinating and mystical. He also has a way of bringing a mystery together from many different angles that came across beautifully on screen.

A long-time fan of the books, I watched the film a little on edge. Could they do justice to Hillerman's sensitivity for The People and not get bogged down in a dusty melodrama? My reaction when it was over was mixed. The characterizations were fine; I had already casted the role of Leaphorn to Wes Studi, so I had no complaints about the cast. Ultimately, it was the pacing that diminished the movie. There is a lot of ground to cover in this story, especially with the counterpoint of Emma's illness intruding throughout. It all unravels too quickly, and this robs the story of the deliberative drama Hillerman spins out so well. And speaking of ground to cover, where were the panoramas of the Southwest?