Hostiles

Hostiles is a Western film that just hit the theaters. My film-going friend is 25% Native American, so she was anxious to see the film and its portrayal of Native Americans. I was nervous based on the title: if it would portray fairly the ethnicities of the story was a big issue for me.

Well, there are many "hostiles," and not just Native Americans. There is conflict of man v. man, man v. woman, man v nature. The American soldiers are tasked with taking some Native Americans back to their own people and, of course, that journey is fraught with danger. The white soldiers are apprehensive, but eventually come around to accepting the Indians in their care. The Indians are resigned to their fate, but are able to fight for their right to complete this journey to their native land.

This film reminded me of the one with the American trapper out in the wilderness who is then confronted by an angry bear and has to survive both his environment and his own personal injuries. The cinematography is excellent, and the journey through the wilderness becomes its own character. The Indians, of course the people we immediately think of as the hostiles, are quite docile until the trappers rape their women. Then, the Indians take care of business and kill the men responsible.

This film is not for everyone, but I enjoyed the storytelling, as well as the beautiful scenery of the journey. The key issue, to allow the Native Americans to return to their own land, is well-told and engaging. I give this film a B+.