Through Black Spruce

Tanaya Beatty in the lead role as a Cree Native Indian is very impressive. Though the film, based on a novel, is a thriller, the film is impressive because it empathizes with the Native Indian community and their real life woes. Ms Beatty is an eye candy with a strong voice to boot. Also impressive are Native Indian actors Brandon Oakes and Graham Greene. All in all--an above average film. My first Don McKellar film and I shall look out for his other directed films.

Most film goers could never understand what it would be like to live in a beautiful yet isolated part of the northern Ontario wilderness, and yet we get to appreciate some of the vastness of the countryside through the lives of the Bird family and the native people of the surrounding lands.

The two lead actors Tanaya Beatty (as Annie) and Brandon Oakes (as Will), are rarely seen on the screen together as Annie has chosen to travel to Toronto to see what is happening with her twin sister who has been absent for far longer than ever before. Will on the other hand is dealing with a bunch of drug thugs who want something that the missing twin sister who is supposedly in Toronto working as a fashion model.

Will especially reflects a man comfortable living in the northern Ontario wilderness, and unlike you or I who may take a cab or subway to travel around our neighborhood, Will takes a plane. If we want to just chill, we may order in a pizza and hunker down to watch some TV series, Will on the other hand would prefer to cover his naked body in mud, chant, then swim in the remote waters with the local marine life.

Annie after arriving in Toronto with limited funds begins to learn more about her twin sisters life and existence as a First Nations woman living in a big city like Toronto.

It's an interesting movie with a film style all its own. (Probably because their funds available do not provide the same standard as lets say a Warner Brothers release would have at their disposal).

I give the film a respectable and appreciative 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.

A beautifully shot and well acted and slow paced character study. Watch it in a chilled out mood. I really liked the understated performance of the two lead actors and the soporific tone of the piece.

Having been raised in Northern Ontario and now living in Toronto I am a tad biased towards this plot, nevertheless felt inclined to review because I was touched by this film and it's success in addressing very delicate issues regarding indigenous peoples (isolation/otherization, culture/tradition preservation, substance abuse, missing/murdered women, etc.). I really appreciated the directing and depiction of northern life. This piece of Canadiana featuring beautiful NWO covered all bases for me; heartfelt missing-sister drama turns thriller with the introduction of the fashion industry's dark side. There are laughs, there is love and moments you'll be holding your breathe. Just wanted to mention Toronto is a very friendly city :) I watched this on an AirCanada flight and there are a few scenes with subtitles.

I thought this movie was very good. The way they ran two stories at once was interesting. As much as I love Tanaya Beaty, the part with her uncle Will dealing with a bunch of thugs for something he didn't do was done well. I wish Annie's journey had a better outcome, but the ending was satisfying never the less. Regardless how you feel about the story line, the acting is superb.