Mystery! Coyote Waits (2003)

The compelling Coyote Waits is based on one of the Leaphorn and Chee mystery novels by Tony Hillerman (all three have been adapted for television), concerning a partnership, of sorts, between an experienced Navajo detective, Joe Leaphorn (Wes Studi), and a young reservation cop, Jim Chee (Adam Beach). When the latter's colleague and friend ends up shot to death and left to burn in a fiery car, Chee takes time off to evaluate whether he should become a healer instead of a lawman. Either way, he can't proceed without getting to the bottom of the killing and proving or disproving his own original assumption that the murderer is a shaman he found drunk and in possession of a gun near the crime. Working the case from a different angle is Leaphorn, who finds a link between the shaman and a missing university professor on the trail of a major historical find. Beach and Studi are terrific, though the story doesn't bring them together, in the same space, very often. (The two characters do most of their communicating by phone.) Familiar faces in the supporting cast include Gary Farmer (Dead Man), Keith Carradine (Deadwood), and Graham Greene (Dances with Wolves). Sheila Tousey is outstanding in her recurring role as Emma Leaphorn, Joe's wise, no-nonsense wife. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

I would watch it again

As Hillerman fans we did enjoy the movie and would watch it a again. I did prefer Thief of Time as a story however, but that is Hillermans story not the movies issue. The actors were well chosen for their roles, and personally I just think Adam Beach is dang good looking and just like watching him lol. Anyway, I liked that Leaphorns wife was alive, less depressing than the book where he is always missing her. And in a book you can be in his head, where in a movie it works better to allow conversation with her instead to move his perspective along.

I had a heck of a time finding this to rent, finally found you can rent this movie and Thief of time on Netflicks! Skinwalkers is still more ellusive, and most expensive to purchase on here. I wonder why that is. January 26, 2008

Kinda Cheesy but it's tv

Made for tv movie from the popular books. Movie was a bit cheesy. Overacting is key. Too good of actors for such a bad script. Adam Beach and Wes Studi were poorly casted for such an amature movie. I couldn't possibly dumb down their talent for this case. November 6, 2007

Native mystery

A must see for anyone interested in the native america culture and enjoys a good mystery. August 2, 2007

Good movie and price

This is a good movie with Studi and Beach turning in solid performances again in this sequel to "Skinwalkers". If you enjoy detective stories, you should find this one entertaining. Fans of the first movie or those that enjoy movies like "Thunderheart" should like it. This Amazon price is a good since these Hillerman DVD movies are not easy to find unless you go to [...]. However; there they are overpriced since by the time you pay for shipping and tax you end up spending about $[...]. So get your Hillerman DVDs here or at Deepdiscount.com. June 22, 2007

Coyote Waits

An excellent film and a must for any Tony Hillerman fan. I loved the production, the wonderful New Mexican scenery, and seeing a bit more of the modern Navajo way. April 1, 2007

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