Reviews

Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) and his family (Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin) raise corn in rural Pennsylvania, with his younger brother (Joaquin Phoenix) living in an auxiliary house on his property. Hess is a former Reverend who lost his faith when his wife was killed in a horrible accident six months earlier.

The story basically starts with Hess trying to largely ignore crop circles that appear in his corn fields. Despite the fearful and violent behavior of the animals, as well as other "signs" his family learns to discover, Hess continually dismisses the phenomena as creative pranks - at first. His loathing for his former faith becomes a subplot that seems to intertwine, and the plot builds nicely as the music of James Newton Howard and a copious supply of sudden loud effects help grip you to the edge of your seat. That is, until the last few minutes, when the film piddles out with all conflicts resolved using cookie-cutter solutions put in place by the over-obvious earlier plotpoints. Nicely billed and started off as a suspenseful masterpiece, the movie itself is ultimately killed. The cornfield setting is just perfect for the corny ending.

My mother, sisters and I are enrolled Tribal members of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where my mother was born and raised. This movie is quite authentic in its treatment of Lakota (Sioux) culture and traditions without getting caught up in romanticism. Portrayals of our sacred Ghost Dance and other ceremonies give the viewer a glimpse into our heritage and spirituality, while he fact-based storyline takes the viewer on a ride into 1970's reservation life complete with FBI cover ups and abuse of power. Seeing this movie just might make you an activist!