Movie Report - Smoke Signal

Movie Report – Smoke Signal

Title of Film: “Smoke Signal” Date: 1998
Director of the film: Chris Eyre
Actors: Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Gary Farmer
Type of Film: Comedy, Drama



Summary and Analysis

There are two guys whose name is victor and Thomas. Thomas’ parents were killed by fire that made by someone when he was young. However, victor’s father rescued him and he could alive at that time. So Thomas always has reverence for Arnold who is victor’s father. However victor’s thought about his father is different. His father always drank and committed domestic violence and just disappeared. So victor does not have good emotion about his father. One day, they heard that Arnold has died in phoenix where he has settled after separating from Victor's mother Arlene. Therefore Victor and Thomas start cross country travel for finding Arnold’s ash. Once they arrived in phoenix and they met Arnold’s friend whose name is Suzie Song, and they hear story about Arnold. The criminal who made the fire in Thomas’ house was Arnold. He were drank and it was mistake. It happened because of fireworks. So Arnold rescued Thomas and he started to be alcoholic and just vanished. Therefore, Victor started to understand his father and Thomas’ unconditional reverence about Arnold.


Related to Case Study

In chapter 10, there are two friend who shocked by racism. In “Smoke Signal” there are two friends who could not understand each other. However, they overcome their problem by having travel and they could understand each other. So I think, Francine and tony also can overcome racism by having kind of activity that can help each other to overcome racism and for understanding more each other. It is wrong just break away to avoid racism. Like Victor and Thomas in the “Smoke Signal”, they should find solution by doing something that can help overcoming their problem.


Reaction to film

I watched this movie very interestingly. It is quite interesting why Arnold did this his family and why he became alcoholic. When they started cross country travel for finding Arnolds ash, it was so impressive. In addition, when Suzie Song told about Arnold, why did he become like that and why did he just disappear. He wanted to be responsible father but he could not stand what he did to Thomas family. I feel pity on Arnold. As Victor could understand his father and Thomas, I think it is most impressive scene in the “Smoke Signal”. It was one of the good movies that I have ever seen.