Thunderheart
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Movie Reviews of Thunderheart
Movie Review: Whodunnit with native intrigue
Summary: 5 Stars
Ray Levoi (Val Kilmer), a promising East Cost FBI agent is assigned to a case. He assumes this is in the latter to promotion. Yet he is informed it is in an Indian reservation and that he is Indian and it is more diplomatic. The reality as in most of these stories is that there is a more nefarious purpose in mind.
Will Levoi discover the real purpose of his assignment?
Will Levoi ferret out Whodunnit?
Will Levoi finger out what was done?
How will he handle confronting remnants of his unknown past culture?
A Major catalyst and almost the narrator of the story is Graham Greene. Born in Six Nations Reserve, Ontario, Canada and Graduate of The Centre for Indigenous Theatre's Native Theatre School. He gives a true native feeling to the film.
Formula story written by John Fusco has a Tony Hillerman feel. It has the advantage of not being Reforested. When Robert Redford gets a hold of a movie it looses its original purpose or feel and become some sort of political statement. This movie is just about someone finding himself, even if he did not know he was lost. If any thing it has a Joseph Campbell coming of age story.
Mystery! Coyote Waits
Movie Review: Why do movies like this always get overlooked?
Summary: 5 Stars
If you thought "Manifest Destiny" was over after the white man settled America in the 19th century, then unfortunately your dead wrong. This movie is based on actual events which occured in the 70's on various Sioux Indian Reservations. Basically, it's about a covert government operation to keep the lid on illegal uranium testing which has been poisoning the Indian's driking water. So, what does the government do about it? Lie, kill, steal, cheat, etc. etc. I won't say that the Government did this for racial/genocidal reasons, but rather for greed... thus, I'm not subscribing to the notion that the "evil white man did it." Afterall the government does those kinds of things to anyone and everyone indiscriminately, and not just to "poor Indians." Nonetheless, it's pretty pathetic. In conclusion, the movie was well directed, the acting was good (Val Kilmer of Doors fame, and Graham Greene from Dances With Wolves), great cinematography, and a pretty good musical score. Overall it's one of my favorite, uh... how shall I say it, movies concerning Indians and things. (Check out Last of the Mohicans, Dances With Wolves, and maybe The Doors-- although it's not really about Indians.)Movie Review: A Powerful and Moving Film with a Lot of Heart
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have even a passing interest in Native-American culture and affairs, you must see this movie. It brings to light the ( ongoing ) friction between the F.B.I. and the other F.B.I. ( full-blooded Indians ). You'll see nothing overly romantic here, only the appalling poverty and violence on modern-day reservations. As mentioned in other reviews, the performances are outstanding, especially Val Kilmer as the initially uptight and all-business G-man and Graham Greene as the ball-busting good guy and honest cop. There is a great sense of humor that develops between the two ( and the old wise man ) as Kilmer's agent lightens up and shares a camaraderie with his fellow Sioux. In addition, the panoramic shots of the reservation's natural beauty ( What must it have looked like teeming with elk, buffalo, and the free Indians of many Nations? ) serve to underscore the heartbreak and further the emotional pull of the story. A definite recommend, and a reminder that despite many hardships, including the murderous corruption of the all-Native reservation police force, Indian culture still survives and it needs to be protected from the never-ending greed of outside interests.Movie Review: Power Flows From The Elder...
Summary: 5 Stars
If you break this movie down, it's flaws come forth, but if you just sit back and take it in, you can get a sense of the Native Way. I have seen this movie several times since it came out, and it always is deeply affecting. I finally realized that the magic came from the presence and performance of the old Indian man who lives in the trailer, Grandpa Sam Reaches. He is played by Marvin Ted Thin Elk, and the understated yet immense power and presence he brings to the movie really makes it for me. He plays a simple character with mostly unspoken wisdom and lightness. My favorite line of his is when he laments "They broke my TV!" after the agents tear apart his trailer and destroy the old black and white television he was always watching cartoons on. He is the reason I am fascinated by this movie.
I recently discovered a facebook page 'In Memory of Marvin Ted Thin Elk", and found that he was a beloved and respected Lakota elder in his real life. He is up there for me with Chief Dan George, who was another fantastic Native American actor, whom I came to love after seeing him in 'Little Big Man'.
Movie Review: Some chase the wind, others listen to it
Summary: 5 Stars
Thunderheart (1992) Val Kilmer, Graham Greene, Sam Shepard
Spiritual, mystical and inspiring. An undiscovered classic.
This powerful movie is about the heart wrenching journey of an FBI agent, who happens to be part Indian, given a brutal assignment on the Oglala Sioux reservation in the badlands of South Dakota. He inadvertantly rediscovers his true spiritual heritage as his soul awakens to everything around him.
This film is loosely based on a true incident that occured in the 1970's.
There is a haunting and mesmerizing score by James Horner.
Beautifully filmed on location, the cinematography is vividly breathtaking.
There is some humor and warmth, but this is a mystery thriller with some violence and it may be too strong for very young children. Still, it's family fare for most. Not one dull moment due to a surperb director. Repeated viewings never get stale.
There are many symbolic overtones that reach out to touch the soul.
The story itself contains the spirit of the heart.
The entire cast is excellent.