[7]
Val Kilmer stars as an FBI agent with Sioux heritage sent to help another agent (Sam Shepard) solve a murder committed on tribal land in South Dakota. Shepard’s character thinks it’s an open and shut case, but Kilmer is encouraged by a snarky local policeman (Graham Greene) to dig deeper. He soon uncovers a conspiracy involving a land grab, pollution, shady government operatives — and more murders.
Kilmer doesn’t quite settle into this role as convincingly as he does in other films, but he’s certainly serviceable. His co-stars, Sam Shepard and Graham Greene, are at the top of their games, essentially playing the grizzled devil and acerbic angel on his shoulders. Sheila Tousey is memorable as an activist school teacher, and Ted Thin Elk is endearing as the reticent (and slightly mischievous) chief who insists Kilmer is related to natives who fell at Wounded Knee, and that he’s being summoned to help ‘his people’ in their time of need.
There’s a supernatural angle to John Fusco’s screenplay that I would have trimmed out of the movie. The reality-based mystery and the characters are interesting enough without having to involve mystic visions and prophecy. Fortunately, it’s not so ‘in your face’ as to ruin the movie. The natural beauty of the Badlands is showcased throughout most of the film, captured beautifully in Roger Deakins cinematography. James Horner provides a compelling score that combines brooding synths and Native American singers for the more meditative moments, and inventive use of percussion for the more action-oriented scenes.
Directed by Michael Apted (Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorillas in the Mist). With Fred Ward, Fred Thompson, and John Trudell.