What do you think about the relationship between Thomas and Victor?
The relationship between Thomas and Victor is funny and interesting because they totally have two different personalities. Victor is a big tough guy who thinks and acts like any other Indians; strong posture and is supposedly brave and fearless. Thomas is no typical Indian you see at a reservation. He is a nerdy looking Indian with big thick glasses and two sides of braided hair who was raised by his grandmother and loved to tell stories. Most of the stories were probably made up, but he calmly told it with details and passion and liked to keep his eyes closed as he does so.
Although they never became best of friends, Thomas and Victor pretty much grew up and went to school together on the reservation. It seems as though Thomas desired to become friends with Victor, however he was always annoyed with Thomas because he comes up with random subjects. He especially brought up random subjects about Arnold a lot who is Victor’s father that left him 10 years earlier. The way Thomas spoked and expressed his humor to Victor sometimes built up his anger and annoyance, for instance, the scene where Victor was at the store and Thomas came up to him to apologize about the loss of his father, “I heard it on the wind. I heard it from the birds. I felt it in the sunlight. And your mom was just in here cryin’” (Smoke Signals 1998). I thought that was pretty hilarious, but I can see where that can build up fire on someone.
Eventually later in the movie, Victor learned to have patience with Thomas and was able to share some laughter with him. I think by Thomas coming along on the road trip helped Victor surpass the emotional thoughts of the loss of his father. Learning from the death of Arnold brought them closer. It also meant a lot to Thomas that Victor shared some of his father’s ashes with him. Thomas didn’t have any parents to look up to growing up, and in some ways Arnold was a guide to him at times. Maybe he secretly felt like he owed it to him since he was the cause of his parent’s death.
I enjoyed this movie a lot. I thought it was pretty entertaining. I watched it late at night when everyone went to sleep in the house so that I can watch it in peace and no distraction. I didn’t understand the significance of the title “Smoke Signals”, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the movie, I thought that it would have been something similar to the Sherman Alexie’s story “Superman and Me” and how to act like a regular Indian. I’m still a little fuzzy on the title. Maybe someone else can explain the significance to me. But I would recommend this movie to anyone that is interested.
It is great that you quoted the movie. I do not know if I could recall the lines spoken. I agree that Thomas and Victor's relationship grew by the end of movie. Victor showed this by giving Thomas some of Arnold's ashes to him, Arnold being both of their father figures. What I find funny is most people wrote mostly about Victor, while I wrote more on Thomas. Which could just be Victor is the main character and Thomas is the support for Victor.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why I think the movie is called "Smoke Signals". The movie starts with the fire which creates smoke and the movie ends with Arnold's trailer set on fire. The fire creates ashes which Victor lets Arnold's ashes out over salmon river. The other significant event in the movie is Suzy setting fire to Arnold's trailer. When this happens Victor is able to start Arnold's yellow pickup truck after trying to start it a few times with no successes. Which could also be sign of Victor coming to terms with his father.
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ReplyDelete(: Hi Susie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the movie too. I agree with about how Victor felt as if it owed Thomas something. So giving him a part of his father sort of helped put him at piece. They both learned a lot from eachother going on that trip. Victor eventually opened up to Thomas. Which also help him get closure of his father.
While watching the movie, I thought the same, why is this movie called "Smoke Signals?" I watched I was trying to connect the movie with the name. But in the end I was still confused.
Susie,
ReplyDeleteI totally enjoyed the movie too! It was a good one, I didn't think I would like it I thought it was just an old movie with hardly any good scenes. But I was wrong! Thinking about it I think you were right, Victor probably felt like he had a connection and had to give some ashes to Thomas. After all his father was someone that Thomas would look up to and see as the role of a father he didn't have. At the end I like how you told us about the significance of the title "Smoke Signals". It wrapped it well.
Xochilt