I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

hyped garbage

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Like Graham Greene's dinner recommendations, "Christmas in the Clouds" skips the main course, and goes directly for the desert. The movie is sweet, perhaps too sweet. There is no conflict, just misunderstandings, and the film ties everything together happily. The editing seems to be rather choppy, and the narration rather unnecessary. This movie has something for everybody, appealing to the romantics, with the identity mix up, the children, with a cute mouse, and the Christmas crowd, with some caroling. If all you require is a feel good film, then this might be of interest. If on the other hand you are looking for more of a story, this plain vanilla fluff might not satisfy. - MERK

"Christmas in the Clouds" is a charming romantic, Native American take on "Fawlty Towers".Set at a Utah resort that's Indian tribal owned and operated (as was the production of the film), with a majority Indian cast, the plot entanglements and eventual resolution in debut writer/director Kate Montgomery's film are pretty obvious from the first ten minutes, but how the colorful characters get there is fun. The opening voice over narration is a bit awkward in setting up the situation for the mistaken identities, but the introduction of each eccentric character is quite entertaining. While the plot contrivance in romantic travails probably goes back further than Shakespeare, the dialog that keeps the mistakes going in double entendres is amusing (including her as a NY Mohawk "passing" as NY Italian by using her father's last name).Amidst the funny running joke about romance novels' depiction of a "savage" lover, Timothy Vahle as "Ray Clouds on Fire" and Mariana Tosca as "Tina Little Hawk" are staggeringly gorgeous, but they each bring a wariness and neediness to their characters that has you rooting for them more than for the vicarious thrill of watching beautiful people kiss on screen. We rarely see in films educated off-the-rez professionals like them back home, having returned to their families for emotional personal reasons (it's inferred that his ex was non-Indian). The parent/child relationships throughout are much warmer than any we've seen before in the few Indian films.There are jokes throughout on Indian stereotypes in image and language, and that's the term the characters use, not Native American. Here the alcoholic, alienated father is the white guy, M. Emmet Walsh, who is both comic and touching. But none of the whites are played for stereotypes (including a cute flirtation between a British guest and "Ray"s father, played by a solid Sam Vlahos). In another reverse, this may be Wes Studi's only comic performance, in a cameo as a guest bingo caller. Singer Rita Coolidge of the distinctive husky voice also has a brief cameo as "Tina"s mother. Graham Greene is very funny as a vegetarian chef with serious issues about his menu. There is some contemporary Native American music on the soundtrack and lovely performances of translated Chrismas carols.The tiny budget is obvious with some continuity errors and background shots with inconsistent snow/no snow, but the Utah scenery is lovely, and this is much more about the people up front than the details in the background. What a shame that I was the only one in the theater in NYC, when a broad stereotyped ethnic romantic comedy like "Big Fat Greek Wedding" was a hit. While I would enjoy following these characters in a continued life in a sit com, this sweet little film could have an extended life as a holiday staple on cable, like on the Hallmark Channel.

I was very fortunate to be invited to the private screening held at the Sundance resort, previous to the Sundance Festival screenings and I was really pleasantly surprised . The entire film was well scripted, well acted, and fun for everyone. I was also at the press screening at Sundance a few days later, and the Q & A responses afterward were very positive. I am in shock that this has not found distribution yet! With all the crap that "the industry" sends out as "entertainment" I am appalled that this one sits on a shelf somewhere. It might not have "names" in the cast, but neither does Napoleon Dynamite and look how popular it has become, with over 40 million+ in revenue so far, I think someone should take a chance on distributing this charming, brilliant film. I really think the standout performances were Graham Greene's chef.....his walk thru the dining room as he commented on each diners meal was priceless! And Jonathon Joss' character Phil was hilarious.....on par with Bill Murray's character in Caddyshack! Please, if anyone knows how to / where to buy a copy please let me know via email...Thanks !

This evening I laughed, and cried a little, to the romantic comedy set in the mountains. A friend asked me to go see this movie, I didn't know much about it before I went. I'm glad I went. I needed some laughs and got more than the usual Hollywood formula would have provided. The characters are given some time for the audience to get to know them, and enjoy their story before the movie ended. Some parts of the movie are "cute," but not excessively for a romantic comedy. This is a "chick flick," though guys would enjoy it too. I enjoyed the mountain scenes. Well worth seeing!