Movie Reviews for Skins

Skins

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Movie Reviews of Skins

Movie Review: Thoughtful, uncomfortable and sad. But I learned a lot.
Summary: 4 Stars

This 2002 film takes place on the Pine Ridge Reservation in North Dakota. It's a sad place, steeped in poverty and alcoholism. The camera brings us into the dilapidated homes and shows us the barren terrain. And the Director, Chris Eyre, has wisely chosen an all-Native cast. Don't be fooled by their Anglican sounding names. They're all Indians, either from America or Canada.

The story is about two brothers in their late forties. One is a cop and the other is a burnt-out alcoholic who sometimes thinks he's still in Vietnam. Flashbacks show their abusive childhood and their dependence on one another. The storyline shows us how Eric Schweig, cast as the cop brother, helps his brother over and over again. Graham Greene is cast as the alcoholic and even though we see him mostly drunk and creating chaos for everyone, get to know him as a real person with hopes and dreams and missteps along the way.

We learn about life on the reservation and the history of the massacre at Wounded Knee. And we also learn why the Mt. Rushmore carving of the four American presidents is so upsetting to the Indians who see rocks as sacred. As the story moves along, we see the cop brother become a vigilante and solve a murder investigation. Later, he sets a liquor store on fire. When his brother is burned in the fire, the story comes to a pivotal point and we get a glimpse of the unwavering love of the brothers for each other and the sense of family in the entire community.

This is a thoughtful movie that's a bit uncomfortable to watch. It left me sad and pensive. And yet it taught me something too. Recommended.

Movie Review: Custer's Last Scene
Summary: 4 Stars

I was shocked by the no holds barred reality of this little movie that could. It didn't hold anything back (meaning P.C.) that the Indians are only to blame themselves for their lot in life.

I just came back from a trip to Wyoming and Montana, saw the Battlefield at Little Bighorn and yes, I saw the descendents of warriors who outsmarted the Custer Cavalry, living in squalor reservations which you could always tell by the trash, dead cars, trashed houses and mobiles. Sad that brave warriors like that ended up like this: drinking away their short lives in a stupor.

I bought the book which was so well written it should have been a national best-seller. It's a book so deep on the nature of human nature that it's suitable for all races. I wish Mr. Louis would write at least ONE book like this a year!

Since the rest of you have explained the movie I'd like to make a comment on the actor who played the clerk in the hardware store where Rudy buys the red paint. He looked just so very familiar so I got out my Montana tourist guide. Damned if that actor doesn't look JUST like General Custer!!! Get the irony? Custer is selling the Lakota the means to deface a monument to the American Chiefs who were etched into sacred, stolen Indian land!! Nice touch!

Movie Review: It isn't pretty, but it's real.
Summary: 4 Stars

This video is excellent for college students learning about Native American life in modern America. I use it as a teaching tool, and find it very effective. "Skins," has well developed characters and story line, The story crosses culture lines, as it portrays the dangers of and reasons for, alcohol abuse. I recommend this movie to teachers of psychology, Native American Issues, and contemporary literature.
Jinna Wilson, MFA

Movie Review: Deeply Emotional
Summary: 4 Stars

This movie was well done and well expressed. It balanced the deep emotion with spirituality and humor. Director put a lot of heart into the production as well as the actors. Mr Greene was well worthy of the awards that he won on this roll and what he had to do to get into the character. Anyone who has any interest or links the the native americans should see this movie.