I stumbled upon this film on Amazon prime since I love their collection of either low budget or under rated films. Immediately I was drawn into the story, characters, and plot. Simply put, it's just good old innocent fun watching this film as well as learning about Native American beliefs. Watch it alone or with the kids.
9 Reviews
She Sings To The Stars
kironkid15 April 2019
The real heroes are the ones who are quiet and listen.
mark.waltz23 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Fannie Loretto is absolutely superb in this movie as a Native American grandmother who aides stranded traveler Larry Cedar, a rather obnoxious magician on his way to Las Vegas. Jesus Mayorga is her half Mexican grandson, a gas station attendant whom Cedar ripped off, and suffers greatly when he encounters Cedar again when he comes back the next day. A snake bite, a missing rabbit, discussions about dreams that predicted the events that would take place and perhaps a lot of growing up for Cedar to get past his prejudices and learn not to be such a snake to other human beings who are just as worthy, if not more, as him.
At times, I had the urge to yell at my screen to tell Cedar to shut up, and while it is not the actor's fault (he does a perfect job being obnoxious), it takes a while before you begin to have type of feeling for him even though he's stranded in an area that seems to be determined to swallow him up. Maybe that's the purpose so he can atone, learn something from the very wise Loretto, and begin to act like a human being.
The heartbroken character played by Mayorga seems to feel cursed, and I'm sure he would rather not go through the trauma of a snake bite recovery at the hands of Cedar who already ruined his day at work. As he recovers, they begin to talk about things outside the racist questions Cedar has been asking all along, pandering with disrespect to stereotypes about natives and Mexicans, both from Mexico and born in the USA.
I got some sensational lessons out of listening to this profound human drama with a very tiny ensemble. If you don't come out of this without an idea of the stupid questions these cultures have to face from whites everyday, then you haven't been paying attention. It's one thing to be curious about other cultures, but I learned to take a lesson from Loretto who simply observes, listens and prays in her own way.
She has the least talky of the three roles, but the wisdom comes through her just being there, not any evidence that she tries to force on other people. Her confidence comes from the earth, the corn and knowing that she is one with the universe, eager to find out what she doesn't know, and wise in dealing with the conflicts between Cedar and Mayorga. She says things in her own way that make more sense than the greatness you hear in everyday commentary on racial issues, and that brings a mythicism to her that Cedar finally gets to experience as his soul begins to open thanks to her guidance.
This may not be the most action-packed of dramas, and I wish there was some magic that at times could make the magician disappear, but if your patiently deal with these quiet and often perspective moments, you will be drawn in to the power that the story does finally reveal. Some things of course are not meant to be understood, just accepted, and that's way the Earth really works.
At times, I had the urge to yell at my screen to tell Cedar to shut up, and while it is not the actor's fault (he does a perfect job being obnoxious), it takes a while before you begin to have type of feeling for him even though he's stranded in an area that seems to be determined to swallow him up. Maybe that's the purpose so he can atone, learn something from the very wise Loretto, and begin to act like a human being.
The heartbroken character played by Mayorga seems to feel cursed, and I'm sure he would rather not go through the trauma of a snake bite recovery at the hands of Cedar who already ruined his day at work. As he recovers, they begin to talk about things outside the racist questions Cedar has been asking all along, pandering with disrespect to stereotypes about natives and Mexicans, both from Mexico and born in the USA.
I got some sensational lessons out of listening to this profound human drama with a very tiny ensemble. If you don't come out of this without an idea of the stupid questions these cultures have to face from whites everyday, then you haven't been paying attention. It's one thing to be curious about other cultures, but I learned to take a lesson from Loretto who simply observes, listens and prays in her own way.
She has the least talky of the three roles, but the wisdom comes through her just being there, not any evidence that she tries to force on other people. Her confidence comes from the earth, the corn and knowing that she is one with the universe, eager to find out what she doesn't know, and wise in dealing with the conflicts between Cedar and Mayorga. She says things in her own way that make more sense than the greatness you hear in everyday commentary on racial issues, and that brings a mythicism to her that Cedar finally gets to experience as his soul begins to open thanks to her guidance.
This may not be the most action-packed of dramas, and I wish there was some magic that at times could make the magician disappear, but if your patiently deal with these quiet and often perspective moments, you will be drawn in to the power that the story does finally reveal. Some things of course are not meant to be understood, just accepted, and that's way the Earth really works.
Mesmerizing
dch_00026 May 2020
Not for the shallow minded
celtic451-228-7827199 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is a very deep movie. If you have a shallow mind you will think it's boring and slow because there are no high speed car chases or bullets flying around. A Native American grandmother is trying to teach not only her grandson about the unseen and mystical world that is around us, but also a complete non-Native because she is telling us that the spirits of Native America belong to everyone. The not-so-successful magician finally starts to get it near the end as well as her grandson. It is an amazing and deep movie, but you have to a sensitive enough spirit to get it.
TRUE TO INDIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
etexea2 November 2022
Mabel said much by saying little, yet doing much. She was taken away from her family as child and "Americanized". This gives the story its depth. She was given a white name and kept it yet nothing else about her is changed. She retains her Native American way of life. She knows and practices Native American spirituality where we see it exemplified in every aspect of her life. Mabel lives simply taking what the land offers yet mischievously enjoys a Reese's peanut butter cup. She impacts the males causing them to rethink their belief systems. Both go off together changed men leaving her on her own knowing she is capable of surviving and thriving in her sacred space. Mabel shows us the powerful spiritual aspect of human DNA if we are quiet, listen, and open to the seen and unseen. Properly watched and understood this movie will positively affect you and leave a desire to watch it again.
If you believe...
poeseewi-2699725 January 2021
To understand one must have an open mind and if you believe, you too will see the magic that is everywhere. This movie brought me home to my aunties and the cryptic way she taught me the ways of the world. I still remember when the the Kachinas came...
no spoilers because nothing happens
mrrebel-8038229 July 2019
I'm guessing all of the top reviews are from those connected with this boring drawn out movie. the most exciting thing that happened is that it rained. there's not much to say about this film as there is not much of a movie. other than if you want art go to the museum.
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