Preview of Warrior

Here's a preview of a movie in production called Warrior. Except for the obscure Help, it will feature Adam Beach's first movie role since he left Law and Order: SVU.

WarriorIn shock and denial over his Marine father's death in battle, star Lacrosse player Conor Sullivan, always a maverick and a hothead, starts acting out in self-destructive ways that have his mom, Claire, at her wit's end. But arduous training in a wilderness Lacrosse camp under the tutelage of his dad's old combat buddy, Sgt. Major Duke Wayne, opens Conor's eyes to the true meaning of maturity, sportsmanship and manhood.Here's a MySpace photo album showing Adam Beach in military gear, Sonny Skyhawk as an advisor, and a crew of Native actors (?) and lacrosse players.

"WARRIOR" Film Shoot

Comment:  A lacrosse wilderness camp? A curious idea, although a Google search suggests it's an invention rather than a real thing.

Adam Beach is billed only sixth on the cast listing, so I'm not sure how big his role is. With his character named "Duke Wayne," is he going to do a John Wayne impression?

I don't see any other Natives in the cast, so I'm also not sure about the people in the photo album. Were they on set just to teach the non-Indians how to play lacrosse? Or do they actually appear in the movie--perhaps as rivals to the "real" team?

I'd be impressed if the inevitable Anglo star was surrounded by Native co-stars whom he learned Native values from. I'd be less impressed if Beach is the only Native in a film based on a Native sport.

Also, I hope this movie promotes an enlightened rather than unenlightened view of what it means to be a (Native) warrior. We don't need a modern-day John Wayne movie telling us that being a warrior is all about sucking it up, being tough, and winning.

For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.