Just plain bad

The American South always suffers in translation. But I do appreciate a film whose heart is in the right place, as I feel is the case with this one. Hollywood has always been notoriously slow to do right by various ethnic and regional groups. Native Americans were long portrayed by Anglos. Chinese, Mexicans, Cajuns, Scots/Irish from the Southern Appalachians or Ozarks, Africans in Tarzan films ot the like, have all been portrayed by "others," if you will. When any of these are not portrayed as the personification of evil, stupidity or ignorance, at least it's a move in the right direction. Too bad it takes so long to get it right. The excuse used to be that there were no competent actors within any of these groups to portray themselves. "Dances With Wolves," for all of its faults, was the beginning of abolishing these stereotypes, but we still have a long way to go, obviously.

I would have to disagree with you. I thought they did an excellent job with this movie, especially being the fact it was a small, independent film. The accents were almost dead on, and what was even more amazing was none of the actors are even from Cajun Country! This movie sh*ts on the Electric Mist.

I always love when people use the excuse that since they live close to somewhere geographically that they are somehow experts on film making, and that an actors portrayal of a piece of fiction has to be documentary specific or they don't buy it. Sorry, I don't buy it. Don't like a story, fine, but ripping it apart because someone's diction you don't feel is exactly correct.? COME ON! How many other film makers are spending money and writing stories truly depicting Cajuns? This movie was a labor of love by many, many people (mostly cajun!) and was handled with the utmost respect. I love this movie, the actors are great, the direction is great, and the writing is exceptional. Don't listen to this critique folks, rent the film and make up your own mind.

As it's been my experience, Cajun accents do vary quite a bit.

I just watched this for the first time after a friend told me about it. I understand what you mean about accents, I am from Acadia Parish, and I have spent many summer days fishing and crabbing in Cameron, in fact thats where I went on my senior trip. I cringe every time I hear someone doing a cajun accent in a movie. That being said, I try not to let that ruin a movie and I really liked the story here.

On the topic, I am sure we could pick apart any movie, particularly those portraying Cajun culture, this one being no exception. Even regular movies about other things always have flaws, you can either find something you like about it or just let the mistakes get in your way.

REALLY bad.

YIKES!

I'm from the Bayou Country area known as Terrebonne Parish, and trust me, we have our share of idiots down there, but NONE, and I repeat NONE of them act remotely as inbred as the characters depicted in this movie! Sheesh..give us a break, not everybody is fighting, fishing, *beep* every minute, and I personally do not know anyone that lived on a boat out in the swamp. For Christs' sake, stop making us look stupid, we can do that ourselves.

BTW, that Sheriff....should get a Razzie for bad acting!

I am still waiting for a glossy big budget script that that captures the romance and swamp heritage of South Louisiana "cajuns". But until that comes along I'll have to be satisfied with little gems like this one every ten years or so. I preferred Glen Pitre's "Belizaire: the Cajun" but that was 20 years ago. Sayles's "Passionfish", Pat Mire's "Dirty Rice" and this movie all fit comfortably in the same pirogue. Small budget, but heartfelt script and inspired acting.
Isabella Hoffman and Chris Mulkey are two of my favorites, as well.
As for dialects, I've heard the full range from Lake Charles to Venice and every region has it's own quality. And a man's intelligence cannot be judged by his inflection, so the inbred comments are not appreciated. Some folks' accents are so thick it's like cutting through a bayou dense with swamp hyacinth while others just have a hint like bay leaf in gumbo.
I enjoyed this movie. Reminds me of the camp on Blind River!
Remember, its a movie, c'est-pas-une-eglise-icitte!