how green and noble was my America

Rating: 8/10 (19 March 2006)

if this a season for "issues" movies then this movie is certainly not out of place in the here and now; on the other hand the conflict among races and cultures as presented here, and also because of the historical setting, and not least because it's simply Pocahontas revisited, doesn't seem to strike much of a thematic chord in this film.
i have to talk about this flick in terms of it's "educational" aspects -- these are significant, or, shall i say, SHOULD be significant to our complacent generations of today that need to understand the complex roots of many of the sociological problems the world faces today.
but this is no dreary documentary bereft of cinematographic value. the verdant lushness and wintry glory of the "marshlands" are more than striking, they bring the viewer and the land face to face... there is original drama to be enjoyed as well, and for thinking people, anyway, plenty of entertainment.
i can not overemphasize the display of relationships between nature and people, shown in a subdued, non-symbolic manner, but there are many other themes running through the film.
among other things, it's a love story, to be sure; a boy-meets-girl movie... about chastity, monogamy, having children... a story about life and a death story, as well.
yet the most outstanding feature of this film is the fortuitous choice of Q'orianka Kilcher as the leading lady. she looks broken, like the continent; she looks odd as an alien should; she is an earth creature at home in the mud; she looks unlikely to have the ability to dance gracefully at the royal ball -- but her elegance and raw, unexplainable beauty, her undulating femaleness mirroring the tall grasses and meandering streams, her personal presence to rival the tall trees of her native forests... lend this movie an unrivaled freshness and a welcome uniqueness. she may not be the etiquette equal of the English women, but she overwhelms the screen with her femininity and natural appeal.
it's not the perfect movie, but go see it, anyway. it's worth it.