![]() While it's not all that surprising to note the absence of the typical reservation stereotypes found in many movies - the poor, drunken and often gambling addicted Indians, etc. What's most refreshing to see, though, is the even-keeled presentation that Eyre has delivered. As directed by Chris Eyre and written by Sherman Alexie (both American Indians), however, this is as much a tale about father/son relationships as it is about growing up as an American Indian on a reservation. Thus, it's nice to see a film made by, and headlined by a predominantly Native American cast and crew. The films in which they appeared, however, were still headlined by "white" stars such as Kevin Costner in "Dances With Wolves," Dustin Hoffman in "Little Big Man," and more recently, Val Kilmer in "Thunderheart." ![]() Mainly relegated to playing the dangerous savage in scores of "Cowboy and Indian" films throughout the decades, some decent supporting roles have occasionally arisen in more recent years. OUR TAKE: 7 out of 10 American Indian performers have never received many decent chances at starring in compelling roles or headlining Hollywood produced films. IRENE BEDARD plays a caring woman who wants to help Victor better understand his father.GARY FARMER plays Victor's hard drinking and occasionally abusive father who one day simply left his family forever.EVAN ADAMS plays a somewhat goofy, but intelligent young man with a happy disposition and a penchant for storytelling in the tradition of his ancestors.ADAM BEACH plays an angry and bitter young man whose attitude has been shaped by his father's long-term absence and the fact that he's a native American Indian and must deal with a society he believes doesn't understand or trust him.WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For some intense images. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Unless they're native American Indians or are interested in that culture and its people, this probably won't be high on most kids' "must see" list. Her insight, however, eventually helps Victor come to grips with his own life. That's further complicated when he meets Suzy Song (IRENE BEDARD), a woman who was truly the last to know Arnold and the truth behind Victor's past. Reliving memories of when he and young Thomas (SIMON BAKER) were just boys, Victor doesn't know how to sort out his new, but confused familial feelings. With Victor having become a bitter young man, and Thomas being a somewhat goofy oddball, their several day long trip tests their already strained friendship. Needing money to travel to Phoenix to pick up the cremated ashes, Victor reluctantly allows Thomas to pay for the bus fare. Now, Victor and his mother have received news that Arnold has died. Never quite the same afterwards, Arnold took to drinking hard, and ten occasionally abusive years later, he forever left Victor (CODY LIGHTNING) and his wife, Arlene (TANTOO CARDINAL), on their Idaho reservation. It was then that a sudden fire killed Thomas' parents, with Victor's father, Arnold (GARY FARMER), saving their infant son's life. ![]() PLOT: Victor Joseph (ADAM BEACH) and Thomas Builds-the-Fire (EVAN ADAMS) are two young American Indian men who've been on-again, off-again friends ever since a tragic event two decades earlier unexpectedly linked their lives together. QUICK TAKE: Drama: Two young American Indian men set out to collect the ashes of one's recently deceased and estranged father, and the trip brings back haunting memories and new truths about the past for both of them.
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