Released in 2005, Christmas in the Clouds  is not your average “Indian” movie; nosiree, even OPRAH THE GREAT thinks its peachy keen. So do we…for the most part. Read two points of VUE and decide for yourself. 

Christmas in the Clouds…The VUE Crew ReVUEs

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Breaking Stereotypes… 

By Tara J. Ryan 

This movie shows Native Americans as modern day human beings—yes we can even be vegetarians, we leave  home—even the character of "Buffalo Thunder" (Steve Sandalis)  parodies all that non-Natives think of our Native men. The ultimate Native man must haves: long hair, no job, rippling muscles, forceful and nearly silent, "super sexy." Oh please, you get the idea.  

They don't hold back on a touchy subject, Native or non, they start right off with it. The all too common man who has passed on and leaves his wife with nothing but bad debts and the mother who's always there to say "I told you so." That could be any  race. 

Wes Studi’s cameo appearance and comments on his culture in jest while he's the featured "star" bingo calling host! One comment he makes partially in his native Cherokee about not confusing himself personally with the "Jeep Cherokee" that is the big prize for the evening's bingo game. A lot can be done with humor, we are not mascots or cars, or people to be "collected" or "prizes" to win.  

While the bingo crowd shouts "Magua, Magua" he enters in a Scottish kilt and duds (I'm part Scottish too here people so don't get too up in arms, like I wrote, a lot can be done with humor). He wore a kilt, while they chanted him a hero for his portrayal of that character. No buckskin, no jeans (I love jeans but we all know they are the new "Native uniform," but that doesn't mean I'll stop wearing mine). So many non-Natives collect our jewelry and our "fringe leather jackets" and chokers. Why can't Wes or any Native wear whatever we want? Did you notice the "irony" of that outfit or were you too busy chanting “Magua” along with the movie? *wink* 

The first time I saw it then someone commented that it wasn't "high art," well maybe not, but it is a good "next step." In more ways than one. In this movie no Native has an alcohol or drug problem, no one is suicidal, the F bomb isn't all over the place or used at all, no one is depressed in a gang and there are no murders. No one is calling anyone else an "apple" or given an "Indian Name." As much as we get all these elements in our daily realities, it's nice to have a movie with modern Native Americans that doesn't have a bit of that in it. In fact, in my opinion, more of our art needs to be positive to balance out what we have to deal with every day. 

A little bit of the high jinks of the whole situation between the two lead characters that makes for the core of the romantic comedy story, and the ever present everybody butting into your love life. That is every race. 

Some points:

We are Native American/Indigenous/First Nations/Aboriginal People, born that way…but we are exactly that. Born as human beings, with the freedom to express ourselves, our personal beliefs, our humor, our laughter, our love and our art in any way we choose! Christmas in the Clouds  may not be "high art," but you know what, it's better than that. It's as important for what is in it, as it is for WHAT IS NOT! 

Though my friend Carole thinks it's too "sugary sweet," and Hallmark Channel, I'll add one more note. Clouds  has one more element I like, the characters in this movie work to have their ski resort recognized in the travel book. They work to SAVE THEMSELVES and their business! There isn't mention of any other "backer" to beef up the image of the place or its' standing to get into the book, they do it themselves! Not what usually goes on at our higher levels in some of Tribal enterprises most unfortunately in "real life" whether we like it or not, approve of it or not, get the chance to even vote for it or know it is going on before or while it is happening or not. Much as writer/director Kate Montgomery didn't bow down to industry execs who loved the movie and just as long as she would change the casting to non-natives they would back her and put it in wide distribution. We need more people like Kate out there, and they are out there. 

Carole, you and I know a lot of them, and meet more every day. 

Christmas in the Clouds,  I love ya Carole but I think you have your head in the clouds on this review ! LOL That's a bit harsh, but isn't that what the "famous" movie reviewers do, they can't seem to review a movie without taking jabs at each other's opinions. It's for ratings. 

A Native American romantic comedy, no, scratch that, a romantic comedy that has a mostly Native cast! Christmas in the Clouds  gets a VUE IT from this reviewer! 

Ebert reviewed it, USA today, it was on Oprah's O Magazine's December 2005 "Anticipation List" and the only movie, holiday or not, mentioned in that issue. That's not where it ends or where it will end for positive movies like this one, and crews and "fearless leaders" like these. Just check out the other reviews and major awards this movie has won.

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Can a Movie be too Delightful?

By Carole Quattro Levine

Christmas in the Clouds, the 2005 romantic comedy directed by Kate Montgomery, has all the treacle and airiness of Cool Whip. Starring Tim Vahle and Mari Ana Tosca as yuppie Indians at a Native-owned ski resort, everything about this movie is darling—the winsome story and charming characters, the scenery, even the damned little mouse is adorable. Oprah agrees, anointing it as a “must see” holiday movie. 

It’s that  delightful.  

Even so, there’s much to like about Clouds  its lightness conceals. “This story is about nowadays Indians,” narrates Joe Clouds on Fire (Sam Vlahos) in the opening scene. And that it is. Filmed at Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort in Utah, the story centers around how the resort manager, Ray (Vahle) mistakes the comely Tina (Tosca) as a travel guide critic, while she in turn assumes Ray is the pen pal she’s made the trip to see. Of course, they are both so so wrong and so so attracted to each other, which leads to the misunderstandings and eventual happy ending we’re all itching for. 

The fact Ray and Tina are contemporary, educated, erudite, and Indian is not something you typically find in mainstream films, nor is the addition of the interracial romance at the film’s closing between Joe and the British physician. How refreshing to see Natives leave the beads and feathers behind and join the 21^st century not clutching a bottle of booze, destitute, or saying “aaayyyyyyee” every other sentence. Sure, they’re Indian alright, and the cast which includes M. Emmet Walsh, Lois Red Elk, Rita Coolidge, Shirley Cheechoo, and the three “Supremes” of the Native acting world—Graham Greene, Sheila Tousey and Wes Studi, fill out the frothy plot to lift it from ABC Family and Hallmark quality. 

Greene, for example, is hilarious as the tormented vegetarian chef forced to prepare meat dishes for the chi-chi diners. Seeking his passively aggressive revenge, he mingles through the dining room coyly reminding aghast guests “who” it is they are about to stick their forks into.

Likewise, Sheila Tousey, arguably the finest Native actress working today, depicts Ray's assistant, Mary, as a bouffant-coiffed “dress for success” prude with a predilection for steamy romance novels. Tousey alone could take a fundamentally minor character and have her command the screen bustling, adjusting her spectacles, and lusting in subsequent breaths.  

But the best moment of the entire film  belongs to Wes Studi as Wes  Studi. In a scene  at a local bingo hall, Wes enters the  room strolling down the aisle wearing…  a velvet blazer and kilt. Yes, Wes Studi—Geronimo—that  Wes Studi; the West Studi who’s the coolest cat on the planet—metaphorically winks as he calls bingo numbers with theatrical gusto…in a velvet blazer and kilt.  

The primary weakness of Christmas in the Clouds  is the Doublemint Twin cuteness from the snow bunnies, to the travel writer, quirky resort staff, and yeah, even the adorable little mouse. Nope, there’s no heavy lifting here, but in the end that’s okay. There’s enough good will, stereotype-bending, and fine acting to get past your sugar high.

And, like Oprah and our effervescent Tara, be delighted just the same. 

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DVD now available at many retailers including:
Christmas in the Clouds—Amazon.com

You're going to want to check out:
Christmas in the Clouds Video Clips 
including the hilarious scene of
 Graham Greene as Veggie Chef

For more information, please visit the film's website:
www.christmasintheclouds.com