Crooked Arrows by 20th Century Fox

Actors

• Brandon Routh

Format

• Color
• Dolby
• Subtitled
• Widescreen
• NTSC

Editorial Review

More than just another film about a struggling sports team finding the inspiration to win, Crooked Arrows is a film about lacrosse, the game's Native American roots, and the honor, tradition, and cultural identity that goes along with the game for many of its players. Joe Logan (Brandon Routh), who is half Sunaquot, runs a small casino and is returning home to the reservation in hopes of gaining approval to build a huge new casino on tribal land. The tribal council's approval comes with the stipulation that Joe reexamine his spirit under the direction of his father (Gil Birmingham)–a process that lands him coaching the local high school lacrosse team. A poorly organized team with a losing record and a decided lack of drive and team spirit, the Crooked Arrows seem destined for another losing season unless Joe, a former college lacrosse star, can somehow improve their game. Unfortunately for the team, Joe's heart isn't in his new coaching responsibilities. Joe's interactions with his sister (Chelsea Ricketts), ex-girlfriend (Crystal Allen), grandmother (Kakaionstha Betty Deer), tribal elder Crooked Arrow (Dennis Ambriz), and the team of high school lacrosse players eventually remind him of the rich cultural heritage that he's forgotten. The experience helps Joe find his true spirit as well as the will to do good. In the end, Joe's term as coach changes everything for himself, the lacrosse team, his tribe, and the entire Haudenosaunee nation. The lacrosse playing in the film is exciting and real, but more meaningful is the new respect viewers will have for the culturally rich sport of lacrosse: a game created by Native Americans over a thousand years ago that's considered to heal as well as offer a means of honoring one's gifts and the Creator. Special features include a commentary track with director Steve Rash and coproducers Mark Ellis and Neal J. Powless, a history of lacrosse that includes brief interviews with professional players Brodie Merrill and Zack Greer, a segment about casting, and featurettes on Native American lacrosse and the Onondaga people. (Ages 13 and older) –Tami Horiuchi