Smoke Signals
1998, Comedy/Drama, 1h 28m
30 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
Smoke Signals tells a familiar story from an underrepresented point of view, proving that a fresh perspective can help subvert long-established expectations. Read critic reviews
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Smoke Signals Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Victor Joseph
Thomas Builds-the-Fire
Suzy Song
Arnold Joseph
Arlene Joseph
Young Victor Joseph
Critic Reviews for Smoke Signals
All Critics (30) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (5)
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It's crammed with Deep Thoughts, fortune-cookie epiphanies, and laboring-to-be-offbeat comic observations about cultural heritage, sons coming to terms with dead fathers, etc., complete with "poignant" ending.
April 11, 2018 | Full Review… -
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January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… -
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January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
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January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 -
There's a particular satisfaction in listening to people talk about what they know well and care about. The subject isn't as important as the feeling.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
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January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Smoke Signals
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Jan 21, 2014Sherman Alexie is one of most important Native American fiction writers of the past century, and with this adaptation of his short story we see the real strife of these people, living in reservations. The film follows a young man (Beach) and an old friend (Adams) who take a road trip to put his father to rest. The film deals with prevalent issues in the Native American community including poverty, alcoholism, and racism from a heavily white population. Having Native American protagonists and a heavily NA cast is pretty unheard of in many films, even recently, and seeing this story made is really quite interesting. The story is a little rushed, as the journey takes a short amount of time. Most of what we see is Victor (Beach) trying to understand the legacy that his father has left for him. We see a transformation, but it goes by so fast that it's hard to savor exactly what has occurs before the story inevitably ends. We're also not sure what either Thomas or Victor will ultimately do now that this "adventure" has taken place. It just doesn't have the strength behind it that the original story invokes.Spencer S Super Reviewer
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Oct 11, 2012A great addition to the Native film genre. This one was written, directed and acted with members of the community and it is lively and enchanting.John B Super Reviewer
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Sep 21, 2010*sigh* this review isn't going to be very long. it's mainly for the people who have seen it. All I can say about this movie is this: "Heeey Victor, I heard you Dad died" Yep that's all I can say. anyone who has seen the movie knows what I'm talking about. TRIVIA TIME: The first movie to be written, directed, and co-produced by a Native American.Lord N Super Reviewer
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Jan 15, 2009I recently finished reading Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" and felt compelled to revisit <i>Smoke Signals</i> for about the 8th or 9th time. I love this film a little more every time I view it, which is easy to do considering that the first time I saw it I just wasn't that impressed. I had felt that, in their quest to have the first "All Indian" movie, they had sacrificed a little quality and technical expertise. Maybe I still feel that's true but it's not something I notice much any more. Now I find myself engrossed in the rich characters, especially Arnold (Evan Adams). Arnold is a misfit and yet he might be the most 'indian' character in the entire ensemble. He's bright, he's introspective, and he's terribly, terribly honest. Even when he's embellishing stories he is still exposing truths. Much like it's screenwriter, <i>Smoke Signals</i> is deceptively deep, intelligent and philosophical even if it's not perfectly crafted. .Randy T Super Reviewer
Smoke Signals Quotes
| Victor Joseph: | You gotta look mean, or people won't respect you. White people will run all over you if you don't look mean. You gotta look like a warrior. You goth look like you just came back from killing a buffalo. |
| Thomas Builds-the-Fire: | But our tribe never hunted buffalo. We were fishermen. |
| Thomas Builds-the-Fire: | Hey Victor! I'm sorry 'bout your dad. |
| Victor Joseph: | How'd you hear about it? |
| Thomas Builds-the-Fire: | I heard it on the wind. I heard it from the birds. I felt it in the sunlight. And your mom was just in here cryin'. |
| Thomas Builds-the-Fire: | Hey Victor! I remember the time your father took me to Denny's, and I had the Grand Slam Breakfast. Two eggs, two pancakes, a glass of milk, and of course my favorite, the bacon. Some days, it's a good day to die. And some days, it's a good day to have breakfast. |
| Thomas Builds-the-Fire: | Hey Victor! |
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