Smoke Signals

Plot synopsis:
Victor Joseph (Adam Beach) and Thomas Builds-the-Fire (Evan Adams) live on the Coeur D'Alene Indian Reservation in Plummer, Idaho. Thomas is an eccentric storyteller and Victor is an angry young man who enjoys playing basketball.
Victor and Thomas are brought together through Victor's father, Arnold (Gary Farmer). Arnold rescued Thomas as an infant from a house fire that killed his parents. Because of this, Thomas considers him a hero. On the other hand, Victor, who endures Arnold's alcoholism, domestic violence, and eventual child abandonment, regards his father with both deep love and bitter resentment. Thomas and Victor grow up together as neighbors and acquaintances, fighting with each other and simultaneously forming a close, albeit uneasy, alliance.
When Arnold dies in Phoenix, Arizona, where he has stayed after leaving Victor and his mother Arlene (Tantoo Cardinal), Victor and Thomas go on an adventure to retrieve his ashes. The trip is the means for Victor and Thomas to explore their identities. Neither of them loses sight of his identity as an "Indian," but their perspectives differ. Victor is more stoic and Thomas is more traditional (and romantic to the point of watching the feature film Dances with Wolves countless times). Their dichotomy is portrayed all through the film; it results in Victor being irritated with Thomas, and Thomas being fascinated with Victor.
Once they reach Phoenix, Victor has to confront his conflicted feelings about his father, as well as his own identity. He has to grapple with a new account of Thomas's parents' death, as told by his father's friend, Suzy Song (Irene Bedard). She says that a drunken Arnold set off fireworks, accidentally starting the fire that cost Thomas his parents. The road trip by the young men leads to Thomas reconciling with the memory of his adoptive father Arnold, as he understand more of his path to alcoholism and related abuse and abandonment. Victor also gains a better understanding of Thomas and his reverence for Arnold.

Tags: storytelling, flashback

Review:
The first scene, narrated lyrically by Evan Adams as Thomas Builds-the-fire, sets the tone for a story handed down, as with Native American culture, in true oral tradition.The French title, Le secret des cendres (The secret of the ashes) more accurately describes the book and the movie, both of which must be experienced to fully appreciate Alexie's genius.
With multiple allusions to fire and ash, each having different meanings, as well as a well integrated use of Native American lore, Smoke Signals requires more than a little thought for the average American viewer.The story revolves around two young Coeur d' Alene Indian men dealing with loss and the end of childhood innocence.
When Victor Joseph, brilliantly played by Adam Beach, learns that his estranged father has died, he and Thomas embark on a journey to claim the ashes, another allusion of the french title, and on the way get in touch with their identities as adults apart from their parents.Evan Adams is stupendous as Thomas Builds-the-fire.
The final scenes, driven by Adams' narration and haunting Native American chant and music, are nothing short of miraculous.Adam Beach, strapping and stalwart as Victor Joseph, managed to parlay his appearance in Smoke Signals into a respectable film career.
Finally, after 100 years of movies, we get a film that honestly portrays the Native American culture.
A small infant named Thomas Builds-the-Fire is thrown out of the window of a burning house and is caught by Arnold Joseph (Gary Farmer), a neighbor with a drinking problem, who is later kicked out of the house by his wife, leaving behind his son, Victor (Adam Beach).
The events that follow drastically alter Victor's perceptions of his father forever.Smoke Signals is a great film and one that can teach you a lot about a culture so often misrepresented on the screen.
The acting is this movie is superb and the filmmaker's shots and different ways of filming scenes and how each one flowed into another was amazing.
Smoke Signals (the efforts of Sherman Alexie, Chris Eyre and the cast of fabulous actors) shows in rich, humorous detail what life is like for young Indians today.
The acting, particularly Gary Farmer as Arnold Joseph (Victor's father) and Evan Adams (Thomas Builds-the-Fire) are outstanding.
Non-Indian people tend to look at this film as a "coming of age" story about finding Victor finding not only his father, but himself as well.
As a mixed blood, this was a major draw.What I found in this film was culture, religion and what it means to be human regardless of our racial heritage.Watching this movie as a seminary student I was drawn to the concepts of sin, alienation and reconciliation as seen through Native American eyes.
This movie is all about human emotions and Adam Beach and Evan Adams did an unforgettable acting duty as Thomas and Victor.It's a film for the ages.
The audience was predominately Native American.On exit, Sherman stood on the sidewalk in the late afternoon Seattle light and waited nervously like a child, to see the reaction to the film (which had ended with unanimous applauds from the half house audience).
The young men who play Victor and Tommy are inventive actors with good professional prospects, if only Hollywood would cast more Native Americans in major films.
Despite Leonard Maltin's comment that Smoke Signals is "basically unexciting film-making,"  I found this movie deeply spiritual without being heavy-handed.
The movie concerns two Couer d'Alene Indian guys who have to travel to Phoenix to collect the ashes of the father of one of them, and the ambivalent relationship between the two friends and Victor's struggle to come to terms with his father having moved away when Victor was still a child.
Since the Native Americans are the most neglected group in America today and considering the way things were forced on them in the previous centuries, it's good to see movies in which things are seen from their perspective.
You can't stand somewhere in this place where incredible things have not happened in the past.A story of young men clinging to each other in a nervous way during their fight to grow up and straighten out their attitudes with people, done in a serious way.This movie accomplished some nice things in in the beautiful region that it was shot in.I recommend you spend some of your valuable time looking at this movie, and then visit Spokane someday bringing your mountain bike with you..
The main trouble with Smoke Signals is that after you see it you will be disappointed with not only the rest of the movies or television you are likely to see but also with most of the films you have seen before it.Since too many people haven't seen it you will have to listen to people talk about "what dreams may come",or some such.
It's highly original, and emotionally moving without becoming melodramatic.It is a film about the Native American Indian culture in modern times.
It was fast-paced enough to engage me, despite being a drama, and there is plenty of comedy, which is a refreshing change for a guy like me who's always wanted to see past the one-dimensional Indian stereotype of suffering and learn more of their culture.But there's plenty of pain and suffering in the film, too, and I got to learn something about the plight of the Indians without sensing a hot-headed we-good-you-bad attitude.
When I started watching this film, and from what I had read from the back of the movie box, it seemed like it was going to mostly be a film about the unlikely friendship between two people, about how two very different individuals can share many things in common.
As I continued watching the film, more themes creeped in, such as the nature of oral tradition and exaggeration/lying within it, what it means to be a Native American in the middle of the nation that oppressed your people, and the nature of fatherhood and forgiveness.The film ends up addressing or at least giving us something interesting to think about for all of these issues, but it just seemed like too many themes to address in 90 minutes.
It seems as though the last issue I mentioned (fatherhood/forgiveness) ends up being the most prevalent one, but it seemed like it was touched on so mildly that I didn't quite understand its resolution beyond a very basic, generic level.By far the most valuable thing about the film, for me, was its depiction and perspective of modern Native American life and culture.
It adds a great deal of insight, humor, and uniqueness to the film, particularly considering the fact that this was the first major film entirely written, directed, co-produced and starring Native Americans.
In fact, I really think the film would've been a lot more interesting if it were just about the two characters going out into America to perform some inconsequential errand, and building a friendship along the way, learning from one another's perspectives on Native American life and culture.
Regardless of its perceived flaws, although it's not an entirely coherent film to me, it still offered a very insightful perspective to Native American life and culture, and it was very enjoyable to watch..
Other than Ulali (I thought was Walela, but I was corrected) and Dar when I tried to read the credits as they quickly went by I didn't recognize any of the names.I almost immediately caught "Powwow Highway" on cable and was surprised to see how much it must have influenced "Smoke Signals" as a Native American road movie.(originally written 7/2/1998).
Sure, the script stumbles from time to time, and the synthesized score grates a bit, but it's the kind of film you can embrace with your whole heart despite its flaws.The largely Canadian (yay!) cast does a beautiful job -- Adam Beach, Gary Farmer, Tantoo Cardinal, and ESPECIALLY Evan Adams.
As a Native American this film is very close to me, and is very realistic, I knew people that had cars like that, and the great shots of the NW made me homesick.
In fact, "Smoke Signals" written, directed, acted, and co-produced by Native Americans.
Comedy and Drama are the main genres of this movie.The story of "Smoke Signals" is about two young Indians men grew up together on an Indian reservation in Idaho which is Coeur d'Alene.
After Victor accepted Thomas' offer, they started their trip to Phoenix that was full of surprising events.There is no doubt that Chris Eyre was very successful in directing this movie.
Beside Thomas' stories, the flashbacks were very useful in showing the life of Victor's father in Phoenix, and how he felt about his son Victor.In general, "Smoke Signals" is a unique movie that produced by Native Americans.
On the other hand, Adam Beach as Victor is one of the film stars who play the opposing character of Thomas, a serious and formal man.
Smoke Signals is the first Native American film production, including actors, writer, and director.
The film mainly focuses on Thomas and Victor, who are the key characters of the movie, and their life in a Native American reservation in Idaho.
Smoke Signals is a great film since it has carries a message, something which current movies lack.
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.
If you want to understand Native American, feel impression about father's love and enjoy light humor, Smoke Signal might be pretty good choice..
The movie portrays young Victor Joseph (Adam Beach) traveling to Phoenix to retrieve the ashes of his deadbeat father (Gary Farmer).
He has to travel with Thomas-Builds-The-Fire (Evan Adams), with whom he has never been particularly friendly, but they realize their friendship along the way.Overall, this movie is like a kick in the groin to the John Wayne mold (the Duke even becomes the butt of jokes in one scene).
I have no axe to grind for American Indians, oops Native Americans, sorry, I'm an old geezer from the old school, I just enjoy quality work on film and this movie has it.
There are few, if any, stereotypes depicted in this film; one of this film's many strengths is that every nuance of reservation life, how it truly is, is perfectly captured.I've received feedback from those who know it from first-hand experience (and immersion), and, seeing the film, themselves, they were both impressed and amazed by the intricacies conveyed (for example, the image of a vehicle being driven backwards because it can no longer be driven forwards, is illogical to many cultures, but not here; getting maximum use out of something is deep-rooted in cultures like the Blackfoot and the Sioux, carried on for centuries, if not millenia; here, it seems to be continued, at least at a subconscious level; it's something those of the disposable urban world have lost touch with, or have simply never had).To many, a bus trip is nothing, a routine, but for two young men, brilliantly portrayed by Adam Beach and Evan Adams, with fixed (or limited) income, it is more, and they make it more Every event in their lives are maximized (usually by Thomas); the basketball game, the trip to Denny's, the stories of frybread, stories trivial and mundane to many, but to them (mainly Thomas), are sources of wisdom and reflection and inspiration (Thomas).This journey they make together has echoes of 'Midnight Cowboy' within, in that it is the story of two lost (or misguided) men that learn from one another, that teach and care for one another, but the plot is presented in a different context, not to mention a pleasant, more relatable one (no gigolos here, folks; sorry).Eyre's directing was remarkably impressive.
In fact, at one point during the film, a friend of mine turned to me and remarked; "Man, this just feels like an Alexie story, doesn't it?" Some of the aerial shots were breathtaking in their simplicity, and the transitions between time periods were simple but remarkably effective.A very touching and human movie, the proof that a great story is what makes the film.
The Cheyenne, director, Chris Eyre, perhaps because he, too, is Indian was able to bring out the remarkable abilities and talent of the cast by permitting them to show a full range of emotions; something often missing from "Indian movies".The plot is a universal one; a road buddy tale dealing with the estrangement of a father and son and a young man coming to terms with the loss when his father dies.It is a superb film for use in a high school classroom, especially in those communities where the Indian population is not very evident..
When I remember scenes from "Smoke Signals" I have the feeling that I actually travelled with Victor and Thomas to Arizona, that I learned about their daily lives, and like Thomas, that I learned to forgive and heal the wounds of the past.Wonderful script, outstanding acting, and careful direction.Now, can someone tell me where can I find fried bread in Boston?
This is a truly good and moving film about the life and culture of the Native American indians rarely seen from the perception of the other "superior" races.
Smoke Signals is an enjoyable and uplifting movie with spicy humor and poignant story concept about the fatherless Indian son who left the Idaho reservation with the goofy sidekick to travel to Arizona to retreive his father's ashes.
One can describe Smoke Signals as the story of two young Native American men, Victor and Thomas, setting out on a road trip from Idaho to Arizona to bring the ashes of Victor's father home.
The direction is equally as assured and aids the film by giving the whole thing an accessible and down to earth story.The cast are a strange mix of people I've never seen and Indian actors who are in everything.
Smoke Signals is a film about two Native Americans becoming men.
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.
For an independent film, this is pretty entertaining, a story about two Native Americans in a reservation.
It is fun to see how Thomas would drive Victor crazy with his stories and his nerd-like characteristics.A drama mixed in with comedy and adventure, this is not a bad movie to pass the time on a slow day.Grade B.
Smoke Signals was released in 2008 and is a great taste of modern Native American culture.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie and being able to experience all that occurs on today's Indian Reservations.The acting was by far the weakest point of this movie, but frankly there is some excuse for that considering the entire cast was made up of Native Americans.
Victor Joseph is the first lead of the movie, played by Adam Beach, and is a very stoic person who has lived a hard life with his father leaving while he was a child.
Nevertheless, it was a great film.If you decide to watch Smoke Signals, don't watch it for the movie.
Through humor it challenges the way people view Native Americans, in real life and on screen.
The ride director Chris Eyre takes us on is enjoyable and does not overstay its welcome.The entire cast and crew of Smoke Signals is Native American, giving it an interesting perspective, similar to movies like Thunderheart and Dances with Wolves.
Unlike most movies in the past, in Smoke Signals Native Americans are not seen as savage or as one with nature.
The movie, Smoke Signals, shows Natives Americans relationship with nature as well as each other.
If so, Smoke Signals is exactly what you are looking for.This film portraits two very different young Native American boys living on the Coeur d'Alene reservation in present day.
On this trip, both Victor and Thomas realize that they need each other and they get to learn a lot about themselves on the way.What makes this movie so different from other movies with Native Americans?
First of all, this film, unlike a lot of others made in the past, is written, directed, and acted out by all Native Americans.
Although this film is entertaining, it also is very realistic and gives its viewers a better insight into life on a reservation.Well, if you answered yes to the questions at the beginning, consider watching Smoke Signals.
The movie is not just about the Native American culture and how it is different from the stereotypical "Dances With Wolves" Indians.
Smoke Signals is the first film I watched about Native American.
It is a story full of love, family relationship, friendship, and forgiveness and culture differences.The fault made by Victor's father caused the death of Thomas's parents.
Smoke Signals is a great film to watch and to think of...
I think they know the importance of laughing and living through their tragic history, so they keep laughing although they do not have many things they need.It was the first time to watch original Native American film.
Smoke Signals is a film about two young Native Americans who live on a reservation.
If you like movies that are about a lot of real things, I recommend Smoke Signals.
This is a unique movie in its giving us the story of present-day Native Americans without stereotypes or bitterness.Victor has spent a decade trying to resolve feelings about being abandoned by his father when he was a young boy.
I don't want to give too much away but it is a story of two young men, Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, who leave the reservation for the first time on their way to Arizona.