Fancy Dance

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.

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.

• Watched on October 17th, 2023 at the Imaginative Film Festival in Toronto ON. Canada
• Format: regular theatre
• Rating: 7/10.

Special thanks to the Imaginative Film Festival in Toronto, Canada for inviting me to watch Fancy Dance!

Director Erica Tremblay presents such a unique story that discusses native land, native language, and the native community all through the beautiful relationship between an aunt and her niece.

The film really starts off by slowly setting up the mood, tone, and vibe that it will follow throughout the whole film. It then reaches the middle of it which can be considered the weakest as it loses its balance in terms of hooking the audience to the story and the characters. However, the film gets itself together back again with the amazing final act that sets up the beautiful and emotional ending and the conclusion of the beautiful relationship between the aunt and her niece.

Director Erica Tremblay and cinematographer Carolina Costa truly choose a bunch of different elements that will help portray and deliver the most accurate feelings that each character is going through using visuals, directing techniques, and camera movements.

Two particular shots that grabbed my attention, one being an "inside the frame" shot of Jax (played by Lilly Gladstone) being in a phone call which captured her through a frame of a window. The shot added more nervousness into the scene by making it seem as a very narrow frame and the character is trapped in that small window frame.

Another shot is a tense scene where one character finds out something that is not suppose to be shared with her from another character in which a line is visually shown using a wall's corner where each character is standing on each side separating the two of them in half as if their relationship together is affected. It really reminded me how Bong Joon Ho used lines to separate the characters in Parasite (2019).

Lily Gladstone's acting and portraying of the character Jax is on point. The character has a cold heart with lots of worries, yet is a caring person and is an influencer specifically to her niece. It sets Lily Gladstone on the spotlight specifically on her most recent film Killers of The Flower Moon (2023) by Martin Scorsese.

Isabel Deroy-Olson introduces to the audience an innocent niece who's mother is missing as this is the actress' first feature film. This being her first feature film really tells a lot about her talent as her portraying of the different emotions and the optimistic daughter in hopes of her mother to be found. Those emotions really reached audience members throughout the whole this film.

Fancy Dance ends off with a great closing credits song with beautiful lyrics that reflects on all the lives that we lost in which the lyrics say: "Let's put our minds together and reflect on those who have passed, those who are up the sky, those who are now living peacefully."

This movie is pretty forgettable. The story is a tad uninteresting but it isn't necessarily bad. The character dynamics and interactions are solid for the most part. The directing gets the job done but there's nothing memorable or unique about it. The elements of Native American culture are cool at certain points but I think the movie needed to dive into it more. The ending is nice in theory but it feels unearned. I think the biggest problem with this movie is that there's a solid emotional story somewhere in there but the film is too bland to get any sort of reaction. The main character makes a lot of questionable choices to put it lightly and instead of exploring the nuance that's there in the character, the film just brushes past it. This is pretty frustrating when Lily Gladstone would've done a great job with some more complex scenes.

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.