Edge of America (2003)

From acclaimed director Chris Eyre whom People Magazine calls " the preeminent Native American filmmaker of his time" comes this touching and inspirational story about loyalty friendship and courage. New man in town Kenny Williams (James McDaniel) has just accepted a position as an English professor at the Three Nations Reservation in Utah. Finding it hard to fit in with the tight-knit Native American community he decides to take on the challenge of coaching the high school girls' basketball team.System Requirements:Running Time 106 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 758445114928 Manufacturer No: SHO1149D Product Description

I Liked It

This was a very different film for me. Not only do we have a black man trying to fit into the Indian life, but we have Indians trying to be accepting of a black man trying to fit into Indian life. Morals and trust are what this film is based on. Do they believe in him enough for him to gain their trust?
I liked the film enough to watch it more than once. It is one to own for the kids. Introduce them to something more than expensive game platforms and television shows that corrupt their minds. Its different and it can be lovable. September 23, 2008

playing the game

When a black teacher takes a job at a reservation high school, he is lumbered with the task of coaching the girls basketball team, a group of no-hopers who've never won a game. As he seeks to create a team, a seemingly impossible goal is presented- can they make it to the state finals? This isn't just about basketball or human relations, it's about the trials, triumphs, aspirations and setbacks of kids supported by teachers and family pursuing a common dream. A good story well scripted, an excellent cast turning in first rate performances, effective direction. This is one of those minor but well made movies that give you more than many a Hollywood blockbuster. July 16, 2008

On the Rez, Basketball is God....

I had the priviledge of being indirectly associated with this movie. The film was based upon the girls basketball program in Shiprock, New Mexico. In 1987, I watched the championship game between Shiprock High School and Kirtland High School. One of my teachers at that time (who was also my football and track/field coach) was Mr. Jerry Richardson.

I read through the brochure for the then upcoming Sundance Film Festival in Utah. As I was skimming the synopses of several film features, I read a very familiar background for the Festival's opening night movie. Immediately, I called a few "certain" people and eventually confirmed that this movie was based upon Coach Richardson and the Lady Chiefs. After pulling off some major schmoozing, I lucked out and scored Opening night passes to this gala event held at Abravanel Hall.

It was great to see this movie. Although the name and location had been changed because of legal reasons, the general storyline was similar.

But the story of Coach Richardson is a great one. He was a good person. He brought a lot of character and insight to a community where life can be tough. And during his coaching tenure there at Shiprock HS, he gave us some vitality. Sadly, he was killed in auto accident during his coaching tenure with Central Florida University.

It is hard to depict his life from the movie although James McDaniels captured Coach's essence very well to where it was scary. So here is a better overall portrait. Picture an African-American man going from a New Mexico Navajo reservation school with several girls basketball state championships under his belt across the Nation to coach a NCAA Division I women's basketball program in Florida.

I guess there is so much more to the story and Chris Eyre did an awesome job with the production contraints he had. Tim Daly is truly a great person in person as well as producer of this film. Willie Holtzman did an outstanding job with his screenplay and story considering how long and how many hoops he had to jump through to get his script to movie. But mostly, I think DeLanna Studi gave this movie some serious depth with her acting craft as well as her beauty. Same goes for the other girls. Trini King actually played ball at Shiprock HS.

I wish this movie had one of those big blockbuster budgets because it could have seriously been an even better film. It is good on its own but I'm sure lack thereof of budget led to some of those legal reasons for the name and location changes. For this reason, I gave it only 4 stars. June 12, 2008

Less would have been more

Chris Eyre's movies are always interesting because he lets us glimpse into the lives of contemporary American Indians. "Edge of America" is no exception and definitely worth watching.

However, unfortunately, the story does not really explore any of the issues it touches on, such as inter-minority racism, lack of adequate housing on the reservation, economic problems, alcoholism and drug abuse, single parenting, teenage pregnancy, lack of perspectives for teenagers and all the related problems, cultural differences and resulting misunderstandings between minorities, and more.

It was not clear to me why the new English teacher - Kenny Williams - took the job in the first place. At some point he said he "needed to slow everything down", but I would have liked to learn more about his motivation to live and teach on an Indian reservation.

I was glad to see Wes Studi in a different role than that of the bad guy, and I enjoyed his exchanges with Mr. Williams, but I did not see a real connection between Mr. Williams and the girls and could not follow the change in their relationship that supposedly happened somewhere along the line. February 20, 2008

One of the best movies ever!

Really interesting movie with a great deal of social commentary and present day relevance, with fine acting from all! A new favorite. Chris Eyre's quite amazing. November 19, 2007

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