DVD Review: Smoke Signals

Smoke Signals (1998)
Directed by Chris Eyre
Starring Adam Beach, Evan Adams and Gary Farmer
MPAA: PG-13
Grade: D

Review by Scott Standish

I have to admit that I had high expectations for this movie and perhaps those unrealistic expectations contributed to my eventual disappointment. So I will shoulder some of the blame right off the bat here, but alas, I can't help but give this film a below average rating. According to the promotional material, Smoke Signals is the first feature film written, produced and starring Native Americans. Despite this admirable quality, the film just doesn't have the emotional punch necessary to be as effective a story as it should be.

The Smoke Signals plot involves a young boy named Thomas. He lives on an Indian reservation and his parents died in a fire when he was young. His friend's estranged father passes away so Thomas and Victor (his friend) go on a road trip to pick up the cremated ashes and some of the personal effects. As they travel, Thomas relays many stories about Victor's father, some true and some not.

The character of Thomas is supposed to be an annoying, nerdish sort that won't stop talking, and yes, they really drove that point home, in this case at the expense of the audience. The movie has some twists in the end, but I found them quite predictable.

The intentions of everyone involved here are good, and you can tell that there were some great ideas in the script. But, the story moves a bit slow, as the director's lack of style begins to wear on you after a while. The acting is surprisingly flat, and there are bit appearances by many stars of the hit tv series Northern Exposure. When these actors appear, one hopes that they will remain in the film to help prop up the actors around them, but alas, they quickly disappear after getting in their quick cameos.

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