Navajo Blues

As a non-American Indian living and working in the Navajo Nation, I thought it would be interesting to see a film supposedly relevant to the people I was working with. Boy was I disappointed. The Navajo Nation Police as they are portrayed in this film make me cringe, not to mention the Navajo culture and people. This movie is sadly one large stereotype, and as most stereotypes is greatly off the mark. This film is a blemish on the career of a wonderful actress (Irene Bedard) {Irene- Why did you participate in this?}. If I recall correctly, this film was not even shot on the rez- it was shot in Utah or Nevada or something.

Fine independent movie with good actors. Charlotte Lewis is brilliant as always and "Lou Grant" Co-star Jack Bannon in a fine support-part make this movie really great. Director Joey Travolta has a very fine and uncredited appearance. Really worth to watch!

I really liked the performances and characterizations of the Wyako sisters, but this film just doesn't work. The end of the film puts forward the very problem that everyone was trying to avoid at the beginning of the film, but nothing was resolved. Irene Bedard and Charlotte Lewis were good enough in their roles that they should have gotten a TV series, but this film is way too cheesy to earn that honor. It's loaded with action movie clichés, such as an overturned vehicle that explodes for no apparent reason, throwing people through glass for no good reason (and no offer to pay for it from the cop, either). It's pretty much Bedard and Lewis and some of the other Native American characters that make the film worth watching, but the excess cheese makes the film disappointing. They needed a film with a better, more plausible plot that isn't so full of coincidences and action movie money shots.

After just watching a few minutes of this movie.. they did the usual non indians playing Navajo people. Portraying the Navajo Police as blue jean wearing police force is not correct. This was not researched or set in the proper place. Yuma, where the Las Vegas cop was to be met is over 6 hours from Window Rock, AZ. Window Rock AZ is in the Northwestern part of the state... The Navajo Police wear badges not name tags.

I have taken this back to Hastings and demanded refund of the rental fee of fifty two cents.

Would have been nice if they filmed NEAR THE REZ.

The best part of this movie is Mr. Donaldson's character Robert. Featuring such amazing lines as:

It's a witch, man.

It's a witch that killed those kids.

You can't catch no witch, man.

I told you it was a witch, man.

That's sick, man.

If Barry isn't enough for you there's still the brilliant soundtrack! What about the dynamite? And that magical exploding car? Almost too much awesome to pack into 90 minutes.