Smoke Signals (1998)

SMOKE SIGNALS, billed as the first feature written and directed by 
American Indians, is an agreeable, if roughly-hewn road picture cum 
coming-of-age movie.  Though cursed with a jerky narrative flow, a 
pair of increasingly grating leads, and one lousy sound recording, 
the story stays captivating from start to finish.  (As any good 
movie should, this one takes you to a place that you've never been 
before.  Well, unless you've been out west to the Coeur d'Alene  
reservation...)  Nice sense of humor, too, as well a powerful (but 
not preachy) message about sons and their fathers.  With Adam Beach 
and Evan Adams, Tantoo Cardinal, Gary Farmer (remember him from Jim 
Jarmusch's DEAD MAN?), and Irene Bedard, who was the voice of Dis-
ney's POCAHONTAS.  Directed by Chris Eyre and written by Sherman 
Alexie, based on his book "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in 
Heaven."  (Rated "PG"/89 min.)

Grade: B-

Copyright 1998 by Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: August 9, 1998