FANCY DANCE
Starring: Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson, Blayne Allen, Patrice Fisher, Crystle Lightning, Ryan Begay, Shea Whigham, and Audrey Wasilewski
Director: Erica Tremblay
KATIE
Erica Tremblay's feature debut, Fancy Dance, is a multi-faceted drama that explores themes of culture, family, disenfranchisement, and resistance whilst also drawing attention to the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. Alongside the tensions and struggles, the film is interspersed with beautifully affecting moments that foreground the tender relationship between the protagonists Jax (Lily Gladstone) and her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson), complemented by gorgeous cinematography. Gladstone is the highlight of the film, and her exceptional performance brings the same emotional intensity and warmth that I loved from her in Killers of the Flower Moon.
ADRIANO
Fancy Dance's nature of being patient and observant can, at times, offer mixed results in its pacing; however, overall, it's a worthwhile experience. What operates as a sweet and harrowing family drama also acts as a fascinating look at life on the reservation, with two excellent performances from Lily Gladstone and Isabel Deroy-Olson. That said, the standout of the film is Erica Tremblay's feature debut direction, which is understated while still speaking volumes about the themes it's exploring. For a film where everything feels authentic and non-sensationalized, Fancy Dance shines bright and impacts you long after the credits roll.
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