Rating: 
Summary: Too much of the sledgehammer
Review: Although this movie is earnest and interesting as a look inside reservation life, it all too often comes across as heavy-handed. Do Indians today really spend almost all their time talking about Columbus and missionaries? The dialogue seemed to mainly serve as a soapbox for the director's political views, rather than as honest conversation among real people. The director does occassionally drop the preaching to show the two friends trying to come to terms with their lives and intertwined histories and it's these parts that elevate the film. If only the whole movie could have been like that...
Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic breakthrough movie for Native American Film
Review: Smoke Signals was easily one of the best films of the year, and a must see for basically everyone. The road buddies in the film exude natural charm at every moment, and the story shines for both its depth of emotion and resonance with the experiences of any marginal people living in North America. Now, only to find that Frybread Power T-shirt...A definite plus: no sex, little violence, no heavy cursing - a refreshing break from Hollywood...
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful, touching, humorous - connects on many levels
Review: Excellent movie about 2 young men who venture out of their world to find an answer. Explores friendship, relationships, the American Indian experience. Low-key but very effective approach engages the audience throughout. Music during closing credits is fantastic. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely on my Lifetime Favorites list
Review: This movie could easily have slipped into cheesy airbrushed cliche and bad voiceovers. Instead, it offered flawed heroes, true friends, real love, understanding, compassion and wisdom. It was a perfect whole made up of even more perfect moments.
Rating:
Summary: The best independent movie of 1998
Review: Funny, touching, revealing, educating ... easily one of the best movies of the year
Rating:
Summary: Not just an Indian movie!
Review: "Smoke Signals" is not just a movie about indian life. It's a movie about relationships. Between friends, between fathers and sons, between sons and mothers. Go see it. I haven't seen a movie this good in years!
Rating:
Summary: This movie touches your soul.
Review: I LOVED this film! It's funny, the dialog is authentic and the actors were supurb. Everyone can relate to the two main characters. The movie gives great insight into Reservation life without making the problems too depressive. We need more movies like this!
Rating:
Summary: A loving look into the search for our father's love.
Review: Sherman Alexie's satirical protrayal of prejudice touches deep. To have lived through the stereotypes he develops in his characters reminds me of the years I taught on the Spokane Indian Reservation. As an "Anglo" who chose to teach and live on the "rez" I experienced not only the sadness the film depicts but it's greatest joys. As Alexie writes in his books..."there's a whole lot of love on the reservation...". This film is a "must see" for anyone who thinks of himself or herself as being a compassionate person, non-judgemental individual. You come away with a sense of pride...that a story such as this has finally been told.
Rating:
Summary: Hillariously funny with a serious side about life.
Review: Smoke Signals shows Indian humor at its best. This film is just a small example of the everyday instances of growing up on a reservation without work and it really brings out the loyalty between the younger generation and their elders. Even though Smoke Signals will have you rolling with laughter, there is a strong message about love, honor, and life that is portrayed here. I recommend that everyone see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Poetry in Motion
Review: Sherman Alexie's beautiful prose becomes poetry in motion in the film "Smoke Signals". Performances by the entire cast are top notch, with special recognition noted for Adam Beach (Victor Joseph) and Evan Adams (Thomas Builds-the-Fire), the two leading roles. Smoke Signals offers a glimpse of contemporary life on the Coeur d'Alene Indian reservation in northern Idaho. While the film holds special appeal to viewers interested in Indian culture, it simultaneously transcends cultural differences with its universal themes of family, friendship, loss, grief and forgiveness. Although a comedy in part, this movie is truly a "soulful journey" as portrayed in its trailer. Listen carefully to the beautiful soundtrack. The melancholy vocals of Jim Boyd (lyrics co-authored with Sherman Alexie) say as much as the script. Your journey will not be over until the last credit rolls, accompanied by the haunting acappella singing of the "Forgiving Our Fathers Suite" by Ulali. Watch this movie. Listen to the soundtrack. Read "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven". Your life will never be the same.
| 
