Let's be realistic.

Crappy film

Am I Missing Something?

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

I don't want get too political during this review, but I believe that this movie is not good as a result of a compounded number of societal failures. The fact that this was acclaimed as the first movie to have Native American characters portrayed by Native American actors and a Native American writer and director is unfortunate because in an objective sense, it's not a well crafted or well executed film. This is not because Native Americans are naturally less talented in artistic pursuits, but they just aren't given good opportunities to become artists or actors. Now, much of the blame for that can be attributed to the settlers and pioneers that took America for their own in centuries past, but, in the words of V, "if you are looking for the guilty party, you need only look in the mirror."Sherman Alexie's writing was rather disappointing considering how much I've loved his books. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is one of my favorite books because of it's sarcastic wit and emotional resonance, but unfortunately Alexie doesn't show the same proficiency as a screenwriter that he does as a novelist. There is still some of the same tone from his novels here, like in the song about John Wayne's teeth. Despite this disappointment, he has written a story that is deep and bittersweet at its core. Even though Victor and Thomas and Arnold are a little annoying, they have human conflicts that really aren't resolved at the end. In many coming of age stories like this in which the hero finds his identity, he or she is clearly a better person by the end of the movie. This is not the case in Smoke Signals. I didn't get the sense that Victor had experienced any kind of self-discovery or surge of identity; he just transitioned into a different stage of conflict over his feelings about his late father. Similarly, Arnold did not seem to have died in peace. He never redeems himself for the torment that he put Victor and himself through. This is not to say that the story should have continued, it's just that nothing was really resolved by the end of the story. This is unconventional, but I think it is much truer to life than a traditional happy ending.If you didn't like this movie, I would recommend that you read one or two of Sherman Alexie's books, because I think that they will give you a greater appreciation for what this film stands for. It won't make you like it any more, but it might make you more forgiving of the movie's technical shortcomings. Overall Rating: 6.4/10.

Smoke Signals was released in 2008 and is a great taste of modern Native American culture. I didn't love the movie, but I was very taken into the story and each of the characters lives. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie and being able to experience all that occurs on today's Indian Reservations.The acting was by far the weakest point of this movie, but frankly there is some excuse for that considering the entire cast was made up of Native Americans. Not that Native Americans can't act very well, which they can, there just aren't too many who are interested in making a movie. The two lead roles are perfect examples of this. Victor Joseph is the first lead of the movie, played by Adam Beach, and is a very stoic person who has lived a hard life with his father leaving while he was a child. Thomas Builds-the-Fire is the second lead, played by Evan Adams, who is a very nerdy young man who desperately wants to be Victor's friend. Adam Beach does a very poor job in his role with every line being dry, which some could say matched his character, but not once did I believe that it wasn't an actor I was watching. Evan Adams, on the other hand, did an excellent job in his part, playing the nerd of Thomas almost perfectly. There is one particular point in the film, that I especially like, where he has lost his dorky braids, clean suit, and big glasses and is walking very coolly towards the camera; his hair blowing in the wind while he is walking in slow motion, and you begin to think that this is a really cool character. Then slowly he puts on a smile and immediately the nerd is back within an instant. Aside from Evan Adams' though, the acting in the entire film is really lousy, but in a way it sort of fits with the film, giving a taste of that rich culture even more.Chris Eyre directed this movie, and actually did a surprisingly good job for his first full-length film. Even though the film was very short, and the story even left open at times, each scene transition was very smooth. I was especially fond of all the different cultural aspects he included, from the bored radio announcer and radio meteorologist, and the long car trips in reverse because normal drive doesn't work, to the wide love of fry bread. This was just a great learning experience to what's going on right in our, or more accurately their, backyard that we know so little about. Acclaimed writer Sherman Alexie wrote the screenplay based off of a short story of his. Frankly, I thought this is where there was some of the greatest fault. The dialogue was alright, but mainly it was just the story and even some plot holes that brought down the movie a little. Nevertheless, it was a great film.If you decide to watch Smoke Signals, don't watch it for the movie. Watch it for the good story and great cultural experience that lies behind it. Then go out to one of the many Indian Reservations nearby and experience that culture firsthand, since it is the real root of the great country we live in. I give Smoke Signals a culturally informed 7.7/10

If you are sick and tired of Hollywood movies, Smoke Signals might impress you and makes compelling watching. Even though it seems a simple drama film, this film is special. I do not mean that this film shows us huge spectacle visual image or is acted by super-star. It describe Native Americans' point of view well, by Native Americans themselves. Original novel of this film was written by Native American author Sherman Alexie, and the film was also directed by Chris Eyre, Native American. It made the film describe their real story on their view. Not only them, but also including two protagonists Victor Joseph (Adam Beach) and Thomas (Evan Adams), all actors who acted as Native Americans is real one of them. Describing their real life, the film shows us two guys' journey to recognize father's love.Arnold Joseph (Gray Farmer) had family and little son – Victor. He had lived with his brother's family on in reservation. One day, a big fire broke out their house. Arnold could save his family, but his brother's family got stuck in the fire. Arnold's brother threw his baby – Thomas to save him, and Arnold barely caught him. After that, the two boys had grown up completely different home environment. Arnold had alcoholism, and sometimes used to be violence, so Victor became to feel resentment against him. On the other hand, Thomas has grown up by his grandmother, so he became resemble with her. He became to wear big glasses, braid his hair and even talk tiresome story always. One day, Arnold got big conflict with her wife and son and he impulsively left his family. After some years, the two boys grow up to two guys. Victor's resentment against his father made him critical manly guy, and Thomas always talking stories Victor does not like. They were having a monotonous daily life, but Victor's mother suddenly got a call about Arnold from Arizona. It was Suzie Song (Irene Bedard) and she told that Arnold died so someone should get back his stuff. Thomas was embraced about it. He did not want to meat even remind. Also he did not have enough money to go Arizona. When he got a inner conflict about it, Thomas came to him with little bit money.One of the most remarkable points of the film is well-mixed memories and present scenes. For example, before Victor and Thomas leave reservation, Thomas came to Victor and asked to go Arizona with him in a store. After that, Victor went out the store. Then, a camera's viewing point is changed to outside of the store and there was boy Victor. This change of time makes memories naturally connected with present scene and prevents audience to feel bored from memories. Also they tell us connections between the present and the past. For example, when Suzie tells Victor about Arnold, the film shows us his soliloquy. Then, he threw a basketball and Victor caught the ball in the present. This scene makes not only good visual but also implication. The ball thrown by Arnold is symbol of truth and his real mind for the son. Victor caught the ball so it means he will accept his father. These kinds of framework make the film not only interesting but also worth as art.Other remarkable point is each role of two protagonists. Victor and Thomas have totally different personality. This point makes the film well-organized. Their journey is for Victor to get truth about father and understand about him. This kind of plot can be boring but Thomas prevents it. His role is assist for Victor to accept his father. He encouraged Victor to start the journey and makes him remind his father and even mother. Victor is always serious and critical so make element of drama, whereas Thomas is optimistic and makes the mood funny. If there were protagonists who have different personality in the film, it would not be great like this. Even though these kinds of characters are used to be in so many literature and movies, truth is that the film successfully adapted a composition of the characters.This film is simple drama but not usually. It described Native American's real life from their point of view. It gave us totally different impression and can be motivation to understand and think about them. However it does not mean that 'difference' is all good point of the film. Impression about this film is universal. Even though the film made by them, it can make us feel sympathy. Remarkable frameworks and well-organized character composition also contribute making attraction of this film. After considering all element, I want to give 8.5 score to it. If you want to understand Native American, feel impression about father's love and enjoy light humor, Smoke Signal might be pretty good choice.

I love this movie because it gives me ideas how the Native Americans think and live in the contemporary world. I like stories about fathers, friends, and forgiveness. I enjoy jokes between Thomas and Victor. "John Wayne's song" touched my heart.When I saw this movie, I focused on the lives and the thoughts of the Native Indians. Victor asked Thomas, "You watched 'Dances With Wolves' more than a hundred times." He meant that the movie didn't portray an Indian's life exactly. The auteurs said, "Dances With Wolves is not an Indian movie" (Reel Spirituality, 198). Movies are powerful because they show how people unknown live and think. Movies are sometimes dangerous because they produce stereotypes. The Native Americans are sometimes victims of stereotypes made by Hollywood movies.M*A*S*H was "meant to teach its contemporary viewers about the irrationality and inhumanity of the Vietnam War" (Reel Spirituality, 32), but Korea and the Korean people became victims of stereotypes the TV drama created.I liked "Smoke Signals" because this movie changed my prejudice against Indians. I thought they were "stoic and like warriors," but I found that they were like everybody else. And I felt for the Native Americans because they were put onto reservations. They are like one of the lost sheep.