Rating: 
Summary: One of the Best!
Review: What a sweet, heartwarming/heartbreaking "coming of age" story about two modern Native Americans, Thomas and Victor, beginning on the Rez through their road trip. It is not preachy or condeming, but it makes its points in ways that stay with you and make you consider. I put this movie up there with "Life is Beautiful."
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, thoughtful, and funny
Review: This beautifully photographed film explores aspects of American Indian culture that is practically unknown in mainstream America. It places and honors the Storyteller [Thomas Builds-a-Fire] within the community - an unknown concept to mainstream. It features the strong, but aimless, Victor - a chief in an earlier day, but now without much if any goals in life. It mentions the grinding poverty, child abandonement, and drunkeness that is so much an unfortunate part of Rez [reservation] life. And, it shows the beauty and humor that are also so much a part of Rez life. John King [Seneca Nation]
Rating:
Summary: Smoke Signals
Review: This movie is a real keeper. It was like watching a piece of life as filmed by an unseen camera. What a wonderful movie.
Rating:
Summary: Smoke Signals was powerful and beautiful!
Review: I found the film to have a deeply spiritual message. Things that bring suffering into the world don't always have to be evil. In being unskillful, in not appreciating the ramifications of actions, people can create the conditions of suffering. This is a story about how foolish actions and angry attitudes can harm us and those we love. It tells about how acceptance of the weaknesses within human beings can help us to forgive them and bring us peace. Learning to love an ordinary human being, despite deep pain and disappointment, brings inner freedom. The character of Thomas, who suffered just as terrible a loss as Victor, demonstrated a calm and peaceful spiritual maturity. The stories he told may have been a stretch, but the love that was in them was insight. Why would anyone think that grieving or death should be cinematic or unique? The ending scene shows Victor finding the love that was hiding behind his pain and rage. In his grief, because love is also vulnerability, Victor had to give up the mask of toughness. It is a movie about manhood and reconciliation between fathers and the men that sons become.
Rating:
Summary: Smoke Signals Smokes the Competition
Review: Smoke Signals, the first film primarily directed, produced, and staring Native Americans is a standout. The film is a wonderful coming of age story that focuses on the friendship of two distinctly different young Native American teenagers with vastly different views about the now deceased father of one of the boys. This story is brilliantly played out against their journey across the country to pick up the remains of the now deceased father, who long ago left the reservation, for reasons that will be revealed at the end of the film. Part coming of age movie, part heroes quest the film is a must see for anyone who had a difficult relationship with their father or anyone who has ever struggled with relationships and personal identity. The fact that the films serious message is portrayed in such a gentle comedic fashion makes this film a must view! Putting that aside, the film manages to present glimpses into the lives of Native Americans both on and off the reservation that most people have never encountered. This alone makes Smoke Signals an especially appropriate film for teenagers and adults. It is that rare blend of entertainment that manages to be life affirming and funny at the same time. On another note: fans of the television show Northern Exposure should watch for the numerous cameos by members of the cast who make memorable guest appearances.
Rating:
Summary: Hollywood did not do this movie
Review: This movie was done by pros. I am from Pullman Washington, and I must say,this movie protrays Eastern Washington beautifully. Great acting, great script, and it made me cry. This movie can teach forgiveness , how to and recieve.
Rating:
Summary: Distilled reality
Review: The humor of this film is distilled into a fine wine. The nuances are lovely. That Arnold Joseph cut his hair and never grew it long again... what was the extent of his mourning-for one night, one lifetime, or one race or people? That Thomas Builds the Fire gave himself so innocently and joyfully to the DNA of his "fine example of oral tradition"?; That Victor Joseph fought every day against the ghosts of his past that were more powerful than the struggle of daily living? And to the reviewer who criticized the play between Victor and Susie Song... this was more real, and more NON-Hollywood than you know. Mature women recognize this as a real tribute to the honesty of nurturing and caring. But I'm prejudiced. This movie was recommended to me by my 22-yr-old son. His offering to explain to me that he now understands my pain. Life here has not been the same since. Thank you, Mssrs. Alexie and Eyre
Rating:
Summary: A rare and overdue gem.
Review: One of the few, and well overdue films created and helmed by Native Americans, it is a simple story about ordinary people with extraordinary strength. Upon finding out about the death of his estranged and alcoholic father, Victor (Adam Beach), a serious and angry youth, ventures to retrieve his father's ashes from a craggy and desolate hideaway the Arizona desert. Alongside Victor is his friend and companion, Thomas (Adam Evans), a quirky and intellectual storyteller-type, who lost both parents in a fire twenty years before. The journey takes place on a bus and it is here that Thomas and Victor find out just how different they are. Victor is always stone-faced and reserved; Thomas is the humor and wit that keeps the voyage going even in its darkest moments. One of the unique things about this situation is that Thomas seems to have known Victor's father better than Victor himself. As the roadtrip progresses, Thomas delivers uncomplicated but emotionally charged accounts of how his relationship with Victor's father manifested itself when he was a boy. And the reasons why the man Thomas knew as his surrogate parent suddenly left one day never to be heard from again. Thomas' mixture of distressing story threads, interwoven with vignettes of whimsical humor paints a vivid picture for the boy whose father disappeared in 1976. And for the first time, Victor is able to drop his inhibited roughness, and earnestly respect his father for what he was, and forgive him for the unanticipated departure. This film not only touches on the delicateness of family complexities, But it also provides an insight into the oral tradition of Native American storytelling.
Rating: 
Summary: Smoke Signals all about coming to terms
Review: Smoke Signals is thought to be about the Native American's lives. I find this hard to believe, and just see this movie as a young man looking for the truth of his father. Sure this storyline is about the two Native Americans, but it is not hard to show how this same story could evolve in any type of lifestyle, or race. Overall, it is a great movie and shows how a young man comes to terms with his life, his fathers life, and his best friend.
Rating:
Summary: Very "Un-Hollywood" Telling of a Universal Story
Review: "Smoke Signals" is that most refreshing of movie projects -- one that defies many of the Hollywood conventions, yet still conveys a story to which everyone can relate. Yes, the film (based on Native American author Sherman Alexie's "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fight in Heaven")is told from a Native perspective. The first surprise? It does not rattle off an angry tirade against white domination (not that such isn't understandable). Instead, it pokes gentle fun at the ways in which non-Indians stereotype tribal people, and often deny them a place in the contemporary world. The jokes are funny, and while many are really "inside" jokes that Native Americans will more fully appreciate, they are still appealing to a wider audience. There are other surprises. A scene that suggests the start of a violent confrontation forgoes the "Rambo" outburst and instead gives us a contemplative and somewhat ironic turn of events. Another scene sets up the audience for expecting big trouble, only to pull the rug out and show a humorous resolution. Even so, this is a serious film in many ways. It's about how we remember a painful past, it's about finding ways to forgive even when we don't fully understand the past. It's about Native Americans... but also about being human. That's it's strong point -- it manages to humanize both the Native American characters as well as people in general all in the same stroke. This film will take on historical importance, for it goes a longer way than any previous film in fostering understanding and acceptance of First Nation people. Besides the compelling story, this film offers you some marvelously "quirky" performances, unlike what Hollywood customarily dishes out. Thomas and Victor just become more and more endearing as the film progresses, awkward mannerisms and all. I've discussed this film with some First Nation people who absolutely love it, and they tell me that I simply MUST read Alexie's books. Good advice!
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