Woman Walks Ahead

Well done historical story line between native Indian Chief Sitting Bull and New York socialite and artist Catherine Weldon. The landscape of the western plain fields where the native Indians main food source the buffalo were driven into near extinction, and the Indian reserves were lacking of any form of prosperity painted a picture of how the United States military power were still struggling with the embarrassment of General George Armstrong Custer's complete annihilation in 1876 at Little Big Horn made famous by Sitting Bull's victory and known as Custer's Last Stand.

Jessica Chastain plays American socialite/portrait painter Catherine Weldon and she is desperate to paint the portrait of the great Indian Chief Sitting Bull played exceptionally well by actor Michael Greyeyes. Their friendship grows out of their respective and very different upbringings and life histories as well as their respective stubborn personalities. The symbolism of the white stallion Rico who was given to Sitting Bull by the great westerner Buffalo Bill is not lost on the audience as Catherine Weldon's childhood fear of horses (thus her preference to walk everywhere) is eventually defeated, ironically so is Sitting Bull to whom the audience is sympathetic towards the plight of the Native Indian(s).

This is a simple yet historically valuable film that as I plopped the disc into our Blu Ray player very late at night even Mrs. Shullivan watched intently never falling asleep (which she would normally do) as both of us enjoyed the performances by Jessica Chastain, Michael Greyeyes and Sam Rockwell as well as the historical value of this moment in time in the year of 1890.

I give the film a credible 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.

Can Jessica Chastain do any wrong? Every project she chooses has beauty and sophistication.

I'm saddened by the ignorant and imprudent reviews which I read this week. Especially someone calling it "listless". The ongoing hype on action movies and the many dialogues in movies have seemingly numbed the senses of the average moviegoers as they cannot anymore feel without touch, hear without words and see without movement.. The movie contains so many touching moments, relatable characters, an emotional bond between the leads, a sensitive approach to a dark material and a stunning cinematography which will make me watch the movie again on the big screen.

Since the topic on Native American rights, Standing Rock and pipelines is as relevant as ever, this movie is of great importance and should not be treated as a forgettable indie film - Shame on the so-called critics.

The Native Americans are treated and depicted respectfully by giving them character traits, letting them speak in their own language and showing their bond with nature and their understanding of life. In all movies about Native Americans which I watched, there has always been strong violence, humiliation and vulgarism. Noteworthily is the final shot of a white horse dancing upon hearing a gun shot accompanied by Jessica Chastain's painting-like suffering on the ground - with her loose and long hair which emphasises her long-awaited freedom ! So happy to finally watch a female Western about Native Americans, which is as beautiful as a Romantic painting and as touching as an elegy.

Loosely based on fact this interesting historical drama tells of Catherine Weldon's (Jessica Chastain) journey out west to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull. Saskatchewan Cree Indian, Michael Greyeyes gives a slick performance as the famous chief, during his latter days on the reservation. It might seem a curious topic for English director; Susanna White to tackle but she turns in a competent (if a little slow) rendition of this unique event. The New Mexico locations provide a nice setting for this rather odd story - although historical accuracy seems to be a little wanting. The white woman and the chief sharing a Tepee together might be a bit of a stretch - just as the ending also seems to wander from other recollections, still, much time has passed and recollections do become hazy. Some may find it no Dances With Wolves but it should maintain interest for those with knowledge of this sad time and the tragic events that unfolded during a dark phase of pioneering USA history. It looks at the pros and cons of Ratification and Ghost Dancing - the latter that caused controversy for its war connotations.

This film is very good but it deviates from the facts to such an extent it seems like an entirely different film. Why create a different story. Weldon was divorced, not a widow. Her $ came from her mother, not her father. She was part of the National Indian Defense Association, not an innocent painter. She had a son, who went with her. etc. etc. The real story is just as compelling, maybe even more so.

My wife and I found this movie streaming on Amazon Prime, with high-def picture and D-D surround sound. Quite nice presentation and beautiful cinematography. Filmed in New Mexico.

It was the 1880s and Native Americans had already been defeated and controlled by the American government. A New York painter, Jessica Chastain in the role of Catherine Weldon, becomes sympathetic to the plight of the Natives and decides to travel to North Dakota to meet Sitting Bull, paint his portrait, and assist him and his people resist.

The movie isn't completely fact-based, it doesn't even mention her son, and the events that led to Sitting Bull's murder in 1890 are highly dramatized in the script, but overall it is a good dramatic depiction of what the relationship consisted of.

Canadian actor Michael Greyeyes is very good as Sitting Bull, powerful chief relegated to potato farming. This is a good movie but it is a sad reminder of how poorly the Native Americans were treated back then.