Woman Walks Ahead (C+ or 2/4 stars)
'Woman Walks Ahead' (directed by Susanna White) is a fact-based drama about a NY painter in the late 1880's who traveled alone out West to paint a portrait of iconic Chief Sitting Bull at a dangerous time in history. Wealthy & (somewhat happily) widowed artist, Catherine Weldon (Jessica Chastain) is our heroine who traveled by train from NYC to the Dakota Territory to paint said portrait of Sitting Bull (Michael Greyeyes) - the last surviving Sioux warrior to defeat Lt. Col. Custer circa 15 yrs. earlier. Labeled an "eastern agitator", Catherine's unwelcomed arrival is mocked by Col. Silas Grave (Sam Rockwell), & she is ordered to board the next morning's train back home by Fort Yates' disdainful Comm. Officer (good 'ole Ciaran Hinds).
With aid from a sympathetic Lakota lawman (Chaske Spencer), feisty Catherine finds a depressed Chief Sitting Bull digging potatoes in his garden. Although he demands monetary compensation & they argue for a spell, proud Sitting Bull befriends Catherine & agrees to pose for her, while she becomes entangled in his struggle to retain rights to the Lakota land. Astonishingly, they are assisted by the U.S. Cavalry's Gen. Crook, who has his own rationale to encourage the various assembled tribes to oppose the crooked Allotment Act {which allows white men to take 1/2 of the Lakota's tribe lands}; a gesture of resistance which led to the horrific 1890 Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee.
This biographical drama is, perhaps, too traditional, a bit stiff, & not as deep as one might like. Aside from some beautiful cinematography by Mike Eley, I'd say that the budding relationship btwn. Catherine Weldon & Chief Sitting Bull at the center of the film is the best aspect; offering interesting & rich emotionality. The characters' early interactions are a touch awkward, especially when Sitting Bull ridicules Catherine for underestimating him. But I really admire the way in which their relationship evolves, mutual respect surfaces, their chemistry is palpable and, without that chemistry ... this film would be one big bust.
Sam Rockwell's character evolves in an intriguing way, as well. At first he is nasty, unpleasantly, racist, and yet, in the powerful climactic scene, he reveals a complex back story that makes him "more" human, if not a "better" human. Steven Knight's (Eastern Promises, Locke, Allied) deals with Native American issues without becoming too heavy, & director Susanna White creates a sparse, yet resplendent Old West. But again, without the Chastain/Greyeyes chemistry, I wouldn't recommend this film, at all. It's quite plaintive, mournful, tragic ... and simply not stellar enough to warrant high praise despite the good intentions & positive attributes.
With aid from a sympathetic Lakota lawman (Chaske Spencer), feisty Catherine finds a depressed Chief Sitting Bull digging potatoes in his garden. Although he demands monetary compensation & they argue for a spell, proud Sitting Bull befriends Catherine & agrees to pose for her, while she becomes entangled in his struggle to retain rights to the Lakota land. Astonishingly, they are assisted by the U.S. Cavalry's Gen. Crook, who has his own rationale to encourage the various assembled tribes to oppose the crooked Allotment Act {which allows white men to take 1/2 of the Lakota's tribe lands}; a gesture of resistance which led to the horrific 1890 Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee.
This biographical drama is, perhaps, too traditional, a bit stiff, & not as deep as one might like. Aside from some beautiful cinematography by Mike Eley, I'd say that the budding relationship btwn. Catherine Weldon & Chief Sitting Bull at the center of the film is the best aspect; offering interesting & rich emotionality. The characters' early interactions are a touch awkward, especially when Sitting Bull ridicules Catherine for underestimating him. But I really admire the way in which their relationship evolves, mutual respect surfaces, their chemistry is palpable and, without that chemistry ... this film would be one big bust.
Sam Rockwell's character evolves in an intriguing way, as well. At first he is nasty, unpleasantly, racist, and yet, in the powerful climactic scene, he reveals a complex back story that makes him "more" human, if not a "better" human. Steven Knight's (Eastern Promises, Locke, Allied) deals with Native American issues without becoming too heavy, & director Susanna White creates a sparse, yet resplendent Old West. But again, without the Chastain/Greyeyes chemistry, I wouldn't recommend this film, at all. It's quite plaintive, mournful, tragic ... and simply not stellar enough to warrant high praise despite the good intentions & positive attributes.