Touches You

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

What it's not: This is not a western movie, made up by White Hollywood to entertain you, showing you fights and "brave" cowboys.. A movie with interchangeable characters you forget about just as quickly as you finish your popcorn.What it is: This movie is about human beings. Mass murder. The systematic genocide. True parts of history that have been avoided to be told far too many times. Hope. Hopelessness. Mourning and fraud. Framed by a woman that against the "social" reasoning at that time decided to confront injustice. The actors, Chastain - Greyeyes - Rockwell, truly live up to the significance of their historic figures. You never see the roles, but the people who felt, lived, loved and faught for their ways of life. This movie touches you, affects you deeply in the core of your heart and won't leave any eye dry. A very honest movie that is one of a kind.

"Woman Walks Ahead" is a new American movie that premiered back in 2017 and runs for 100 minutes approximately. Director is 2-time Emmy nominee Susanna White and the script is by Oscar nominee Steven Knight, so a British co-production we have here. the star is Golden-Globe winning lead actress Jessica Chastain and she is joined by recent Oscar winner Sam Rockwell. The poster and (not so great) title make it clear already that this is a film about Indians with modern western elements, maybe a female-themed equivalent to Christian Bale's most recently released film. But back to this one here. Sadly, I was very unimpressed. Eventually, it comes down to nothing but another unrefined film on the subject that depicts Whites as bad guys and Indians as suffering (good) guys while offering almost no depth whatsoever. In terms of Chastain and the story and material, you could thing it is one of these films that are symbolic for quality roles for females in movies these, days, but I found it to be the exact opposite. There is nothing to her character that makes an impact beyond stereotypes and generic character writing unfortunately. Her looks make the impact, maybe the clothes too, but the character never does and moves way further behind the longer the film goes to a degree where she becomes almost insignificant eventually and the occasional scene of discrimination against her for how she is bonding with Sitting Bull is pretty ridiculous. The worst, however, is the rushed-in plot about her being scared of horses that is more on the side of making fun about people who actually do with how easy she approaches the horses later on in a very clumsy attempt to show her (mental) strength. Also the parts wheer we have virtually everybody drooling over her are not to helpful in terms of strong female characters. As for Sitting Bull, there isn't too much positive I can say either. Again, it's the looks that are working well, but that is it pretty much. The seemingly important scenes about the money for the drawing, the speeches to his peers and him getting closer to Weldon never make half the impact they are supposed to. The scene at the very end with the dancing circus horse was supposed to be powerful, but not even the words appearing on the screen afterward can make this one work. It is pretty ridiculous. The only somewhat positive thing I can say here is about Sam Rockwell. The way you never knew where his character was heading was nice and offered some suspense at least. He's clearly the MVP here and it's easy to see how his career has probably been peaking in the last 5 years, not just awards-wise. The plot with the idea at the end that what seems a victory for the Indians is the exact opposite wasn't too bad, but cannot make up for all the mediocrity and very weak parts before that. I just cannot give this movie a positive recommendation by any means. I think given the cast and the general plot idea, it is an extremely disappointing outcome we got here. Very much a missed opportunity and the miss wasn't even close. Even the cinematography is surprisingly bland given the locations where the film is set. Unless you really adore both Rockwell and Chastain as well as modern western movies, my suggestion is to watch something else instead. Certainly a thumbs-down I give this one we got here.

Susanna White, the director of WOMAN WALKS AHEAD creates a movie that takes historical facts & transforms them into a stunningly beautiful tale of search, discovery, redemption & the powerful reality of creativity & defeat. Jessica Chastain gives a deeply human portrait of a woman on the edge of a new world where nothing is as it should be and she discovers what is most important and significant for all individuals seeking a higher truth. The acting across the board is excellent- Susanna White has a very special way with actors that brings out the best in them without any overcompensation of "acting." This movie is so beautiful shot & edited it could be viewed as a silent film loaded with natural physical beauty (New Mexico) that overwhelms the eyes, brain & heart. I suggest anyone who cares about the future of real movies, directed with an original sensibility sorely lacking in most movies today, submit to this courageous & heartfelt exploration of indigenous people & a single white soul lost in history and revealed in WOMAN WALKS AHEAD.

Can Jessica Chastain do any wrong? Every project she chooses has beauty and sophistication.I'm saddened by the ignorant and imprudent reviews which I read this week. Especially someone calling it "listless". The ongoing hype on action movies and the many dialogues in movies have seemingly numbed the senses of the average moviegoers as they cannot anymore feel without touch, hear without words and see without movement.. The movie contains so many touching moments, relatable characters, an emotional bond between the leads, a sensitive approach to a dark material and a stunning cinematography which will make me watch the movie again on the big screen.Since the topic on Native American rights, Standing Rock and pipelines is as relevant as ever, this movie is of great importance and should not be treated as a forgettable indie film - Shame on the so-called critics.The Native Americans are treated and depicted respectfully by giving them character traits, letting them speak in their own language and showing their bond with nature and their understanding of life. In all movies about Native Americans which I watched, there has always been strong violence, humiliation and vulgarism. Noteworthily is the final shot of a white horse dancing upon hearing a gun shot accompanied by Jessica Chastain's painting-like suffering on the ground - with her loose and long hair which emphasises her long-awaited freedom ! So happy to finally watch a female Western about Native Americans, which is as beautiful as a Romantic painting and as touching as an elegy.