Dances with Wolves (A or 4/4 stars)
In 1991, there were 2 major films gunning for the 1990's Best Picture honor at the Academy Awards: crime epic, Goodfellas (directed by Martin Scorsese) & this film, a Western epic, 'Dances with Wolves' (directed by actor Kevin Costner). This film won, garnering 7 wins total (a major feat). Many people feel that Goodfellas was robbed. Me? Both films are SO different, yet so good in so many ways, that either result wouldn't have bothered or surprised me ... but I do prefer "Dances with Wolves".
The film opens with a short Civil War prologue in which Lt. John Dunbar (Costner), establishes himself as a hero; providing a diversion so that a band of Union soldiers can accidentally claim victory. He almost loses a leg in the process. And due to his bravery, he is offered a station anywhere he pleases. He requests an outpost in the Dakota wilderness (wanting to see it before the American frontier disappears). But he finds the spot - Fort Sedgewick - completely deserted; and is befriended, only, by a wolf he names Two-Socks. So John is left thinking ... why was this spot abandoned in the 1st place? For over a month, he sits alone with Two-Socks & his horse, Cisco. Over time, he gets used to his peaceful surroundings (and boy, are they gorgeous).
But the plot kicks into gear with the arrival of the neighboring Sioux tribe, led by Kicking-Bird (a GREAT Graham Greene) & his raging sidekick, Wind-In-His-Hair (Rodney A. Grant). John Dunbar & the Siouxs distrust each other. But before long, they learn each other's language. And a bond forms btwn. John & the Indians; so much so, that John starts assimilating into the Sioux way. His interaction with them becomes easier yet when he encounters Stands-With-A-Fist (Mary McDonnell), a white woman who was raised by the Sioux since age 6. Eventually, Dunbar leaves Fort Sedgewick, is named 'Dances-With-Wolves' (when observed with his wolf, Two-Socks) by the Sioux, moves in with the tribe altogether, & falls in love with Stands-With-A-Fist. But trouble arises when the army advances on the plains, only to find that John is an Indian; and he is forced to make a life-changing decision that will affect his future, as well as the Siouxs.
'Dances with Wolves' contains a plentitude strengths. It's an adventure-into-the-unknown story. There is a touching romance. And there's intense drama pitting the U.S. army against John Dunbar & his Sioux tribe. The stakes are high. Though this is a fictional tale, Costner tries to make this movie as authentic as possible (doing extensive research on the Sioux people, and what occurred in that era). He cast only Native Americans as the Sioux tribe. The subtitles throughout the film are true Lakota (Sioux's language). Costner did all of his horse riding. And he used a real wolf for Two-Socks.
Visually, 'Dances ...' is as stunning as any great epic should be; with sweeping landscape cinematography, authentic sets & detailed costumes. And yet, I was also riveted by the smaller details of frontier/tribal life, as well. The entire film just looks & feels amazing. I also must commend the sound work & John Barry's musical score (oh, how he nails those themes, i.e., think Out of Africa, Somewhere in Time, etc.). This film should appeal to those who cherish the languorous, emotive 3 hour epic of old. And the most breathtaking sequence of the movie is a buffalo hunt; where the Sioux race alongside seemingly hundreds of rampaging buffalo. It's just a "wow". And the scene marks the moment when John embraces his new Indian way of life. So it's both beautiful and narratively important.
'Dances ...' is also seen as a sort of revisionist Western because it paints the soldiers in a more negative light, & shows the Indians in a more sympathetic light. And yet, though our soldiers are seen as the enemy, we see them, here, as imperfect & unknowing, rather than vile human beings. At this time in history, everyone was nervous about the future (soldiers in the army, Indians helpless to cultural genocide, etc.). It was complicated for everyone. And there are lots of gray areas to be found in many of the varying characters in this film. The actors playing the Indians, led by Graham Greene, provide compelling characters. As Stands-With-A-Fist, Mary McDonnell must balance two sides to her character, the love interest of the John Dunbar, & the Indian who fears for her 'people'. She's great. And Kevin Costner, acting as director, too - provides stellar work as the sensitive John Dunbar. If we don't like or 'get' him, the film would collapse.
Now, 'Dances with Wolves' may not register with everyone. It IS long. 3 hours is 3 hours; no way around it. There are lengthy periods of talking (no action). The narrative gets a tad sincere; even melodramatic in spots. And the movie is more intelligent, interesting, & authentic than, say ... rousing. But on the whole, I find that 'DwW' is a gigantic, confident, voyeuristic film that shows us a side of humanity that we always crave for. And it also gives us a peek into the world of the Siouxs from nearly 150 yrs. ago. I think I shall be taking this epic journey with John Dunbar again in the future.
The film opens with a short Civil War prologue in which Lt. John Dunbar (Costner), establishes himself as a hero; providing a diversion so that a band of Union soldiers can accidentally claim victory. He almost loses a leg in the process. And due to his bravery, he is offered a station anywhere he pleases. He requests an outpost in the Dakota wilderness (wanting to see it before the American frontier disappears). But he finds the spot - Fort Sedgewick - completely deserted; and is befriended, only, by a wolf he names Two-Socks. So John is left thinking ... why was this spot abandoned in the 1st place? For over a month, he sits alone with Two-Socks & his horse, Cisco. Over time, he gets used to his peaceful surroundings (and boy, are they gorgeous).
But the plot kicks into gear with the arrival of the neighboring Sioux tribe, led by Kicking-Bird (a GREAT Graham Greene) & his raging sidekick, Wind-In-His-Hair (Rodney A. Grant). John Dunbar & the Siouxs distrust each other. But before long, they learn each other's language. And a bond forms btwn. John & the Indians; so much so, that John starts assimilating into the Sioux way. His interaction with them becomes easier yet when he encounters Stands-With-A-Fist (Mary McDonnell), a white woman who was raised by the Sioux since age 6. Eventually, Dunbar leaves Fort Sedgewick, is named 'Dances-With-Wolves' (when observed with his wolf, Two-Socks) by the Sioux, moves in with the tribe altogether, & falls in love with Stands-With-A-Fist. But trouble arises when the army advances on the plains, only to find that John is an Indian; and he is forced to make a life-changing decision that will affect his future, as well as the Siouxs.
'Dances with Wolves' contains a plentitude strengths. It's an adventure-into-the-unknown story. There is a touching romance. And there's intense drama pitting the U.S. army against John Dunbar & his Sioux tribe. The stakes are high. Though this is a fictional tale, Costner tries to make this movie as authentic as possible (doing extensive research on the Sioux people, and what occurred in that era). He cast only Native Americans as the Sioux tribe. The subtitles throughout the film are true Lakota (Sioux's language). Costner did all of his horse riding. And he used a real wolf for Two-Socks.
Visually, 'Dances ...' is as stunning as any great epic should be; with sweeping landscape cinematography, authentic sets & detailed costumes. And yet, I was also riveted by the smaller details of frontier/tribal life, as well. The entire film just looks & feels amazing. I also must commend the sound work & John Barry's musical score (oh, how he nails those themes, i.e., think Out of Africa, Somewhere in Time, etc.). This film should appeal to those who cherish the languorous, emotive 3 hour epic of old. And the most breathtaking sequence of the movie is a buffalo hunt; where the Sioux race alongside seemingly hundreds of rampaging buffalo. It's just a "wow". And the scene marks the moment when John embraces his new Indian way of life. So it's both beautiful and narratively important.
'Dances ...' is also seen as a sort of revisionist Western because it paints the soldiers in a more negative light, & shows the Indians in a more sympathetic light. And yet, though our soldiers are seen as the enemy, we see them, here, as imperfect & unknowing, rather than vile human beings. At this time in history, everyone was nervous about the future (soldiers in the army, Indians helpless to cultural genocide, etc.). It was complicated for everyone. And there are lots of gray areas to be found in many of the varying characters in this film. The actors playing the Indians, led by Graham Greene, provide compelling characters. As Stands-With-A-Fist, Mary McDonnell must balance two sides to her character, the love interest of the John Dunbar, & the Indian who fears for her 'people'. She's great. And Kevin Costner, acting as director, too - provides stellar work as the sensitive John Dunbar. If we don't like or 'get' him, the film would collapse.
Now, 'Dances with Wolves' may not register with everyone. It IS long. 3 hours is 3 hours; no way around it. There are lengthy periods of talking (no action). The narrative gets a tad sincere; even melodramatic in spots. And the movie is more intelligent, interesting, & authentic than, say ... rousing. But on the whole, I find that 'DwW' is a gigantic, confident, voyeuristic film that shows us a side of humanity that we always crave for. And it also gives us a peek into the world of the Siouxs from nearly 150 yrs. ago. I think I shall be taking this epic journey with John Dunbar again in the future.