Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Effortless, September 1, 2001
I'm a (non-Indian)racial minority who usually likes to see a political message in "ethnic" movies. This isn't really an "ethnic movie," though. "Dance Me Outside" is an indie comedy-drama about 90's life on an Ontario rez, with a mostly Native cast, but it is lovable by Americans of many different cultural backgrounds. It is also by all accounts one of the best movies I have ever seen. There are an (unfortunately small) handful of subversive movies referencing the colonial experience which shock us/force us out of our "cultural relativism comfort zone." Such movies {e.g. "Clearcut," "The Battle of Algiers,") shock us because they reflect the natural bitterness and residual hate of cultural clash; colonialism, genocide, and outright invasion and land theft are uncomfortable things that make us feel uncomfortable when we're forced to confront them. "Dance Me Outside" as an "ethnic" narrative works in entirely the opposite fashion, but it works brilliantly. This movie is the bomb, people.
Director Bruce McDonald, a non-Indian, has co-written a fabulous snappy script (based on Kinsella's story)that is almost literally back-to-back one-liners:immensely quotable. Every type of humor--from broad physical to ironic wry humor--is at work here. McDonald's approach to directing is obviously well thought-out, yet we never sense him at work when we are watching; all we see are the loose, engaging, charming results--this movie unfolds almost effortlessly, seamlessly. I dare anyone to say they feel uncomfortable while watching this movie, even during its so-called "darker" moments. Euro-Americans will be comforted to know that "Dance Me Outside" is not an in-your-face political Indian movie, of the afore mentioned type. Conversely, even I, exasperated with the sympathetic portrayal of Whites in most movies about minorities, can not help but be charmed by Kevin Hicks' bumbling, well-meaning "white husband" character. This brings us to the other shining strength of the movie: the awesome, awesome ensemble cast. Ryan Black is too witty, good-humored, and genuine to be a superstar. He simply has too much personality to be a Hollywood star. His natural elegance and affability really anchor this movie; holding it all together, he's like a rock--WHAT a breakout performance. The more widely-known Adam Beach has done his best work here. He is completely charming, disarming, and engaging--a reflection of the spirit of the whole movie. I heard he almost didn't get cast in this role; say a prayer of thanks that he did, because the naturalism of his performance--while, by nature of the character, not as subtle or as elegant as Black's-- is astonishing. The Podemski sisters are delightful, especially Jennifer as the feisty, down-to-earth girlfriend. Her younger sister has a smaller role, to which she brings every bit as much spirit, sass, and conviction. In fact, no role in "Dance" is too small for its actor to give it the attention it deserves. The wryness of the all-knowing mother, the sophistication and intelligence of Lisa LaCroix as Illianna, and, of course, the presence of Michael Greyeyes, who injects into his tough-guy role as ex-con Gooch the most poignant and believable undercurrent of vulnerability: the beauty of this movie is in its detail. Sandrine Holt ("Black Robe"), here as Poppy, in a forgettable performance, perhaps unfairly gets star billing, but this is a minor flaw indeed. Each and every character reaches out to you. Even the racist skinheads are likeable!
Most people should be able to watch this movie three or four times consecutively, easy. It's that light, refreshing, and well-crafted. It's that good. All elements of "Dance Me Outside"--screenplay, cast, editing, and the kickin' mixed Indian and mainstream soundtrack--converge as though by divine design to form a near-perfect piece of film narrative. I don't want to compare it to that OTHER recent movie about rez youth because they're two different movies with different goals in mind, but, as good as "Smoke Signals" is, "Dance Me Outside" kills it. I don't know how--both have superb casts and musical scores--but "Dance Me Outside" is better. I think it's the effortlessness of it. "Dance Me Outside" is good enough to be used in film schools as an instruction manual on independent films. Don't even bother to rent it. You may as well buy it, if you're going to buy a movie this year, or ever again. It will make you feel so at ease you may then choose to go out and see a subversive hard-hitting political movie to counteract the sheer buoyancy and joy of "Dance me Outside"--although I think finding a movie that could eclipse this much charm would be pretty hard.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dance me Outside... native issues well captured, December 31, 1999
I've seen and own this movie. This movie is based on the pretense of comedy, yet the dark underlying issues are ever present and hanging over your head. It was well acted, and it has been scripted beautifully. The take off series inspired by the movie called "The Rez" continues the movie in a believable fashion and stars the same actors, although Frank Fencepost has been replaced. But Adam Beach shows up again throughout the later episodes as a new character called Charlie. It's just a shame that it's not being made any more. Thank god for reruns! I recommend the movie to anyone anytime!
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gripping tale of love and loss on an Ontario reserve...., March 19, 2002
"Dance Me Outside" was a fantastic Canadian film from 1994 based on the novel of the same name by W.P. Kinsella. Directed by Bruce McDonald and co-written by Don McKellar ("Last Night," "The Red Violin"), the film centers around Frank Fencepost and Silas Crow, two young adults on a reserve in northern Ontario, planning on going to college in Toronto to become mechanics. We are introduced early on to their family and (girl)friends, and the tragic act that sets the tone occurs early on in the film. "Dance Me Outside" inspired the (Canadian) TV series "The Rez" (1996) which featured many of the same actors and characters (Frank, Silas, Sadie, Joseph, Etta). The film opens with a shot of Silas Crow crouched down staring at his namesake, accompanied by a native flute and a voiceover. Throughout the film there are ties between the spiritual and the natural, whether it is Illiana's mother telling her that babies come from the Great Spirit or the predictions of Mad Etta. The scenes of Robert McVey, Illiana's white Torontonian yuppie lawyer husband, being "initiated" into the tribe as a ruse for Gooch (Illiana's old flame who was just released from jail) to impregnate Illiana, border on the absurd, representing white stereotypes of First Nations and vice versa, but there is a power, a lack of inhibition and an attempt to become one with nature, that makes it moving. "Dance Me Outside" features many talented First Nations actors: Adam Beach (who was also in the award-winning "Smoke Signals"), Ryan Rajendra Black, Jennifer Podemski, Michael Greyeyes, Selim Running Bear Sandoval, and Vince Manitowabi among them.
The music was equally excellent, from a variety of bands such as Kashtin, the Vern Cheechoo Band, Joanne Shenandoah, the Headstones, Keith Secola, and R. Carlos Nakai. In some ways I preferred this film to the much-hyped "Smoke Signals" based on the strength of the screenplay, the cinematography, and the realistic depiction and treatment of current First Nations social issues. There is some violence, vandalism, nudity, and swearing, but this is a touching, powerful film about community, strength, love and tradition.
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