Wild Indian

I usually dont complain a lot about endings. Good, bad, it's the writer's story and they have a reason for that. The ending here is ok and I would have accepted if we have had a bit more moments of tension, more dialogue, more development of his PTSD, more something. I felt everything undercooked. When it finished, I asked to myself: "Is that it?".

A shame because I was really liking the first two acts of the film until I realised that...it was already the end of the third one.

I can see where non-native viewers may not understand the narrative. As an Indian I felt it on a cellular-level. After generations of trauma and violence to our people, one cannot escape the effects that are with you everyday. Of course each person is affected to varying degrees. I thought all the actors did a great job. Thanks to everyone who made this film possible. The history, stories and lives of native peoples need to be told. This is just one story. Looking forward to seeing more work from the writer/director.

I'm native and live in Oklahoma. So, no one can tell me if this is accurate, or tell me to quit saying "Indian", because that's some liberal white stuff. This movie has AMAZING acting, great direction, and though it's a little slow, I absolutely loved it. Veey accurate depiction of rez life.

You have to watch this movie with a mindset of all native american history. It's the story of survival, how one individual with a certain cultural heritage maneuvers through life as not only a victim of the system but also the broken home. Lines are drawn between human beings and ultimately what it means to survive. What does it mean to be indian? This movie paints a gritty picture that is both meaningful and interesting! One conversation in particular in this movie was breathtaking. Try and spot it.

Abused Makwa grows up on a troubled Reservation in Wisconsin with his cousin Teddo in the 80s. Over three decades later they meet again and the contrast is glaring. Michael Greyeyes and Chaske Spencer head the cast while Jesse Eisenberg and Kate Bosworth have peripheral roles.

"Wild Indian" (2021) is a slow burn drama about modern AmerIndians and the challenges of life on a Reservation, plus the ins & outs of life beyond. It has the melancholy, mundane tone of "Leo" (2002), "The Woodsman" (2004) and "First Snow" (2006). Although it may not be on the level of "Woodsman," it's arguably superior to the other two.

Writer/director Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. Grew up on Reservations in Wisconsin & Minnesota so the movie obviously depicts things that he witnessed. He respects the intelligence of the viewer without spelling things out. It's a mixture of glaring clarity and vagueness that provokes you to reflect and put the pieces together.

What's going on with a certain character at the beach at the end? I'm part Abenaki and perfectly understand what was going on because I've done the same thing, but you don't have to be any particular race/tribe to relate.

The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Oklahoma with bits done in SoCal.

GRADE: B.