Cérémonie des César

Wes Studi is really little better than Chuck Connors was in 1962, as the legendary Apache chief Geronimo in this rather slow moving biopic that depicts the frustrations of this otherwise noble man given the consent stream of false promises and betrayal visited on him and his people by an avaricious, expansionist, American government. Jason Patric is really quite good as the liaison officer who is charged with escorting Geronimo to a meeting with the government, epitomised by Gene Hackman as "General Crook" who is a measured, considerate soldier who appreciates, and has some sympathy with, their plight. During this journey, the two men start to form a bond based on their respective senses of honour and fairness; courage and trust. This all becomes sorely tested when "Crook" is succeeded by Kevin Tighe who is not so sympathetic and they now have a revolution to deal with. It has some wonderfully full and grand cinematography, Ry Cooder has created a suitably splendid accompaniment but Matt Damon's rather preppie narration and, indeed, the whole script is way too wordy when we have such characterisations and images to digest.It is far too sanitised to offer a serious critique into the atrocities carried out in the name of progress, so really joust boiled down to an over-long wetter with little eastern promise.