Indian Comics Irregular #131

Back in 2002, I wrote about "Christmas in the Clouds," a Native-themed
movie then still in production. I described it as "a low-budget,
high-quality independent film with its heart on its sleeve" and noted
its strong reception among Indian people:

At venues such as the National Museum of the American Indian
and the National Indian Gaming Association, audiences have
cheered the movie's celebration of Native humor and compassion.
"Christmas" shows Native people as they see themselves:
contemporary, self-reliant, enterprising.

(You can find this article at
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/pechanga.htm .)

Now that it's finally finished, "Christmas" is appearing in selected
theaters nationwide. It has a unique fundraising model, with part of
the proceeds going to school districts that book it. Writer/director
Kate Montgomery deserves praise for persevering and getting her movie
made.

Meanwhile, here's what critics are saying about the first Native movie with no
overt political agenda. First, the setup:

"Christmas in the Clouds" pokes fun at stereotypes through a
tale of mistaken identity, tribal enterprise, bingo and true
love. The plot focuses on the Ute tribe, which runs a luxury
ski lodge in Utah that desperately needs to stay in business.
The enthusiastic lodge manager, played by Tim Vahle, goes into
overdrive trying to impress one of the lodge's guests (Mariana
Tosca), who he believes is an anonymous travel writer from New
York. (Mercury News, 11/12/05)

The Pretty Good

I wanted to hate Christmas in the Clouds.

Not only because it is a Christmas movie, but because as the
story unfolds there are no surprises: You will see the end
coming roughly three minutes into the picture. Everything that
happens is predictable, from the pairing up of young lovers to
the mistaken identity that drives the plot. All tired, old
stuff.

Yet the film has two things that redeem it: It's genuinely
funny and it has heart without the obvious calculation the word
"heart" usually means in a Hollywood film. Its heart feels
genuine because the characters in the film feel like real
people, not cardboard cutouts making plot points. (Arizona
Republic, 12/2/05)

The Not-So-Good

Reason enough to root for the film's success is given in the
production notes. Montgomery said she chose to go the
independent route after studio executives told her to rewrite
her script and "lose the Indians." Instead of kowtowing to the
pressure, Montgomery stuck true to her vision.

Maybe she should have taken the advice on a rewrite, though,
not to change the ethnicity of her characters but to smooth out
the many rough edges and insert some snappier gags. Her film
too often seems like an amateur production, likable but not
compelling.

"Christmas in the Clouds" consists of mistaken identity
screwball nonsense, slapstick gags and yawning sentimentality.
The feel is close to that of a weeknight sitcom, with jokes
that seem as though they should be accompanied by a laugh
track. (Arizona Daily Star, 12/1/05)

Conclusion

"Christmas in the Clouds" may not be destined to be as beloved
as such classics as "A Christmas Story" or--dare I say its
name?--"It's A Wonderful Life," but as holiday-themed,
family-friendly entertainment goes, "Christmas in the Clouds"
is an enjoyable, spunky little holiday movie. (Santa Cruz
Sentinel, 11/4/05)

As for me, I agree with all of the above. I rate "Christmas" a decent
7.5 of 10. For more information, visit
http://www.christmasintheclouds.com .

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics