Fancy Dance

Erica Tremblay's direction in this film is both powerful and emotional, shedding light on the clash between traditional laws and bureaucratic forces. The special connection that aboriginal people have with their families and laws is portrayed vividly. However, the unnecessary inclusion of a lesbian subplot seems to be part of a larger agenda for cultural manipulation.

Lily Gladstone's ability to film this project during breaks from "Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)" showcases her dedication to her craft. The film's slow build-up sets the tone effectively, but it falters in the middle by losing its grip on the audience. Nevertheless, the final act brings everything together beautifully, especially in depicting the special relationship between the aunt and her niece.

While "Fancy Dance" may not be a cheerful tale, it is undeniably significant. For those seeking a well-acted and compelling drama, this film comes highly recommended.

Ever since her sister had gone missing, Jax (Lily Gladstone) has been caring for her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson). They scrap by as they prepare for the upcoming powwow. Roki hopes to find her mother there while Jax desperately searches. There is little help from the authorities. With her criminal past, Jax is seen as unfit to be Roki's guardian. She loses Roki to her father Frank (Shea Whigham) and his white wife Nancy (Audrey Wasilewski).

This has good reality to this modern day native American culture. The big name here is Lily Gladstone although Isabel Deroy-Olson is a great new discovery. It's a road trip. It's a mystery. It's a fugitive movie. It's a cultural exploration. It's family trauma. It's great.

I watched this film this morning on Apple TV+. After watching Killers of the Flower Moon, I became interested in Lily Gladstone.

The composition of its characters was a typical child and relative story. A protagonist happens to take over their relatives's child and has to go somewhere.

Although they encounter many challenges on their way somewhere, they work to resolve them and refine their relationship. During the journey, the protagonist has to assume the role of a parent to protect and discipline the child.

Consequently, the journey ends for unpredictable reasons. Unfortunately, we cannot help but see the protagonist's sacrifices from time to time.

It's a beautiful story. When I was 13, my older sister ran away from the orphanage where we lived together after my dad passed away. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I recalled a man who helped me search for her around all my relatives.

It's frustrating to watch a movie that gets most everything right but ends up going off the rails when it really counts. Such is the case with writer-director Erica Tremblay's third feature outing about a Native American woman (Lily Gladstone) from Oklahoma's Seneca-Cayuga Reservation who goes in search of her missing sister (Hauli Gray) at the Grand Nations Powwow in Oklahoma City with her 13-year-old niece (Isabel Deroy-Olson) in tow. But the duo's road trip odyssey soon turns into a statewide crime-ridden misadventure not unlike the narrative in "Thelma & Louise" (1991). Much of this multilayered tale is actually carried off quite skillfully, spotlighting the challenges that indigenous people (especially women) face and presenting a story with a capably executed, tension-filled, edge-of-your-seat quality, prompting viewers to wonder what's coming next. However, as the story wears on, it becomes increasingly implausible, culminating in a climax that's more than a little difficult to believe, its heartfelt sentiments notwithstanding. There are also some intriguing back story elements scattered throughout that, quite frankly, could have been better developed and resolved. That's indeed a shame, considering how these shortcomings undermine the production's many strong points. These weaknesses also take away from the outstanding performances of Gladstone (who turns in even better work here than in her Oscar-nominated role in "Killers of the Flower Moon" (2023)) and Deroy-Olson in her big screen debut, as well as an outstanding cast of supporting players. This AppleTV+ original truly has a lot in its favor, but it's unfortunate that it didn't carry through on its strengths throughout the entire film. A near hit but one that doesn't live up to its promise or potential.

This is a great story that received a heap of well-deserved awards. Lily Gladstone, Oscar nominee for best lead actress in "Killers of the Flower Moon," puts on yet another fine performance. One of the many miserable white people had this to say: "Another tale about the white man oppressing the downtrodden red man. Your only reward for watching this painful, slow movie is the abrupt and unfinished ending. The movie would have been better and felt just as complete had they had the ending right after the opening credits." They hate to hear the truth-it's due to their shame and white fragility, but these stories need to be and will be told again and again. Needless to say, you should ignore this and all the other negative reviews.