Mystery Movie Review - Dark Winds

If you haven't been watching the new AMC adaptation of Tony Hillerman's multi-award-winning novels, you are missing out.  Although in 2002 there were three movie adaptations done for PBS (starring the incredible Wes Studi and Adam Beach) based on Hillerman's books, this AMC series has Robert Redford and George RR Martin, as well as the lead actor as executive producers and it shows.  It is already slated for season two in 2023. Watch on AMC+, VUDU, or AmazonPrime.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

The series is based on the characters and books of Tony Hillerman that center around the Navajo Tribal police on the reservation in New Mexico.  Set in 1970s, it mixes police procedure with native culture and mysticism against the backdrop of a vast and beautiful but harsh landscape.  Thus far season one is essentially one book over several episodes which allows for more in-depth development of the story.  The FBI are pursuing bank robbers who escaped onto the reservation by helicopter while Lietenant Joe Leaphorn is investigating a double homicide, contending with his ongoing grief over his son's death, and a new city-fied officer assigned to him who he doesn't trust.  As the investigation deepens, the twists and mysticism complicate things.

I classify it as a Native American police procedural, but many classify this as more a psychological police thriller.

Rating: 100% Rotten Tomatoes / 88% Audience

Director: Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals) and Sanford Bookstaver

Filming locations: Santa Fe, Española, Tesuque Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo, and the Navajo Nation.

STARRING:  

• Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, 
• Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee, 
• Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito, 
• Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn, 
• Noah Emmerich as FBI Special Agent Whitover

REVIEWS

"McClarnon delivers an intense, if not smoldering performance, that is wonderfully complemented by actors Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten. A beautifully done series. ‘Dark Winds’ is the best show on AMC since ‘The Walking Dead’” Vincent Schilling for Native Viewpoint

" 'Dark Winds' may seem similar to other detective shows but it’s more than that. With well-written and sharply defined characters, plus an invigorating and tightly wound story, it’ll be hard to wait a week for each episode to drop." Kristen Lopez for indieWire 

"As both a period piece and a cultural primer for an unabashedly Native American story told through a Native American lens, Dark Winds successfully gives audiences a different perspective and backdrop for a crime drama."  Tara Bennett for IGN Movies

"Dark Winds feels like it will deftly combine a standard murder mystery, tribal traditions and difficulties, and supernatural elements, tied together by a great performance by McClarnon." Joel Keller for Decider

MY THOUGHTS

The fact that this production has Native writers, Native crew, Native talent and Native directors and producers and still consult with Navajo (Dineh) persons for accurace I think gives the adaptation amazing authenticity and depth.  Zahn McClarnon (Fargo, WestWorld, Longmire) is stellar in his portrayal of Joe Leaphorn and he is a large part of the success of scenes grabbing me so deeply.  All the acting is well done.  The script is taut and draws you into the story and the people.  The setting is integral and becomes a character in itself.

The characters are introduced differently than the books, but Anne Hillerman (Tony's daughter who has continued the novels) has okayed the differences and assures that the characters themselves weren't changed significantly.  

The details of the 70s are ever present while the camerawork is deft and modern.  The mysticism and eerie touches are fantastic and true to the novels.  I highly recommend to police procedural fans, but especially to anyone who enjoys any Native American mystery novels or those that incorporate wilderness and sweeping vistas.  If you are a Hillerman fan, it is a "must-see."  I will have a hard time waiting until next year for season two.

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