Smoke Signals

The first feature made wholly by native Americans isn't quite what you'd expect. About two argumentative friends who leave their Idaho reservation to go check out the pathetic trailer park estate left by the late, estranged father of one of them, the film deals with history, social injustice, crisis of identity, poverty and other pertinent issues. But it does so in a delightfully witty, offbeat way that simultaneously sends up and celebrates supposedly typical aspects of Indian culture. The gags, visual and verbal, generally hit the spot, including a nice dig at Dances with Wolves. The film looks terrific, the 'mythic/mystical storytelling' bit is handled with just the right amount of tongue in cheek, and the performances are very engaging. Original, audacious, entertaining, and an all-round impressive debut.