Hottoceame
The Age of Commercialism
Raetsonwe
Redundant and unnecessary.
Console
best movie i've ever seen.
donaldricco
Really, really good film! They really cover everything in this - life on the reservation, father/son relationships, and a great deal of culture of the Native American way of life. I really liked the relationship between Victor and Thomas and the natural feel that existed between the characters. Thomas was my favorite - his voice, his smile, and the stories he wove. I really enjoyed the Native radio station announcements, especially the traffic reports, and it was a kick to see two actresses from "Northern Exposure" in here! Good music too! I'd definitely watch this again!
BluDiMado
It is a road movie, a comedy, and Indian film all in one. Surprising were the great performances of the actors, especially Adam Beach. Although characterized as an Indian Film, it is universal in theme, execution and message. The story is well developed, with an interesting twist at the end. Also, it is one of the funniest films ever. Through humor it challenges the way people view Native Americans, in real life and on screen. As an important feature of the movie, worthy to be mentioned, is the cool soundtrack. Sherman Alexie himself, wrote some of the song lyrics (!). It is a gem of a movie and recommended for everyone, who wants to have culture mixed with entertainment and pure art. A 10/10
slava86-655-338128
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.
middleburg
The journey of Thomas Builds-the-Fire and Victor Joseph is told through a combination of social commentary, dreamlike tales and images, and a sensitivity for human emotion that sometimes takes your breath away. From the earliest tale of Thomas"flying through the air" during the harrowing and heartbreaking aftermath of July 4th celebrations, straight through to the stunning denouement with the powerful poem of "Forgiving our Fathers" accompanied by the haunting music of Ulila and the drummers and chanters which lifts us up to the Heavens, this film is a small masterpiece. It is very much a depiction of contemporary Native American culture--but it is told with such a keen understanding of universal human emotion, that everyone can relate to it. Love, regret, pain, forgiveness--all of these great enduring issues abound in the film. At what point do our lives turn out a certain way do to society, luck or misfortune, inner strength or lack of it--that final poem sums up the film brilliantly. The characters are so richly drawn--even those who appear ever so briefly in the film--that a rich tapestry is created as their lives and stories are woven together. Ultimately director Chris Eyre's and author Sherman Alexei's film celebrates forgiveness, understanding, acceptance, human compassion and perseverance. This is not to say that the film is somber or purely philosophical. My Heavens, no! There are a wealth of intriguing events, characters--moments of surprising humor, moments of very real sadness, the past woven seamlessly with the present, the reality woven seamlessly with Thomas' tales of dreams and imagination. The photography is glorious, the American West a place of great beauty--sometimes a desolate beauty, but beauty never-the-less. The music score is powerful and riveting. And most importantly we care about the characters--we want them to be happy, their lives to be fulfilled...we laugh with them, knowingly nod our heads in understanding with them, and in many instances, our hearts break right along with theirs. For anyone who has lost their parents--this movie can be unbelievably sad, but it can also be unbelievably cathartic and comforting. This is one for the ages!
