This review has been some time coming. I have required a bit of time to ponder the film after a recent revisit to the once considered 'great' film. The movie is about a man, who's interest in life has been shaken, frustrated he attempts to end it, but in trying to do so is made a hero in a failed act of would be suicide. Then uses his 'hero' status to get a pass to make his way out west to see the frontier...The opening scene is a bit empty, the viewer has no reason to be invested in the "dramatic" act by Costner's character. Sometimes I believe we love a film until enough films of higher quality reveal to me the truth, the truth that so many "greats" don't last the test of time. I believe we are pushing out the 'once greats' with the current greats, and I also believe the caliber of these new greats are superior to most of our self chosen classics. The greater films hold strong, but nostalgia normally hangs on to films longer than we should allow. This film is victim to nostalgia.
"Dances With Wolves" was great. It truly was great each time I watched it, until now. It is falling into the Hollywood norm, the section that dies off after 10-15 years of shelf life. If something carried the film, it wouldn't be the performance, as it is bare minimum, missing any sign of award quality. The film has interest, but its an interest for what could be developing. Problem is, not much develops. If the story was better written and some casting changes were made, it might have held up for another 5 years, but unfortunately it is deeper. It is the vision, or the depth of the film. It is the very message the film is making that just echoes cliche. This story is the same as Disney's "Pocahontas" all the way to the current "Avatar". It is hard to create a story then transfer it to the screen and make it good no matter what content it is, but when it comes to a good Samaritan or reconciliation story, they can really be the worst kinds.
The director reveals that the only good in the film lies with the natives, and how just a single white man has come to realize this and change his ways to becoming like them.
The message in the end isn't even clear, there is no solid finishing statement. The film just abandons you on the side of the road.
The film did however have some exciting adventures. There were a lot of firsts in this film for me, different interactions or visuals that were fun when Costner was exploring the land, but when the film tried to get serious and start adding to what the story was leading up to, it felt forced and unbelievable.
The landscape, costumes, and the few adventures of the film where the film's more interesting elements.
The film did however have some exciting adventures. There were a lot of firsts in this film for me, different interactions or visuals that were fun when Costner was exploring the land, but when the film tried to get serious and start adding to what the story was leading up to, it felt forced and unbelievable.
The landscape, costumes, and the few adventures of the film where the film's more interesting elements.
"Dances With Wolves"
6 / 10
6 / 10
