The film is very downbeat, with only occasional humor offering some relief from the plight of the reservation. At no time was I certain of the message trying to be delivered by "Skins". Vigalanteism seems like a poor solution, and really accomplished nothing. Graham Greene's performance as the stereotypical reservation drunk, is worth seeing, but the movie is choppy and not that entertaining. What you get is part message movie, part sibling drama, and no real reason to think any of the problems presented have been changed. The final act of vandalism, no matter how symbolic, really accomplishes nothing, and merely adds to the movie's mixed messages. - MERK

Seeing stars Graham Greene and Eric Schweig in other, more mainstream films, and, latterly, Schweig excelling in the adorable and brave modern fairy tale that is "Big Eden", combined with an interest in the great hidden shame that is reservation life in North America, to make me get hold of "Skins" on DVD. The story: Rudy Yellow Lodge is a reservation cop who turns vigilante in disgust at the abuses he sees around him. Meanwhile his Viet vet brother is drinking himself into an early grave, and the white town on the border of the reservation gets rich selling him and his friends alcohol. The story is not always skilfully told, but it is punctured by moving and well-done moments. But when a film and its makers take big risks, and overcome huge obstacles to make something with social and historical significance, you make certain allowances. One of the signs of a successful minority culture thriving within a dominant society, is when its cultural life 'owns' and masters all art forms. A cinema in its infancy doesn't progress by everyone sitting around thinking what kind of films they'd make if someone would only let them – rather, it progresses because someone like Chris Eyre stands up and tries, and even if he doesn't completely succeed, has helped really start something. It's pretty amazing that "Skins" got made at all. Many of the people whose lives it spotlights got to see the film only because of director Chris Eyre's "Rolling Rez" tour, where the film was shown on reservations and in selected cities in an adapted truck. This should tell you starkly enough why it's necessary for films like this, flawed as they are, to be made, and seen.And yes, it's very flawed indeed. It's so easy to sit in my armchair thousands of miles from the stark brutalities of rez life, and point, remote control in my hand, to the inconsistencies, plot holes, the slightly stiff and unconvincing acting in the minor roles (though I'd point out that they wouldn't seem half so stiff if the script had been sharper). These things do diminish the film as a whole, and I kept thinking, if only they'd had some Hollywood money here – some script editing there – but that's the whole problem. Even if the script had made it to the desk of Hollywood's Junior Vice-President Butcher of Scripts, by the time it emerged, the largely native cast would have been condensed to a single, wryly funny sidekick whilst the hero, a white guy from the local town, takes on the infamous beer sellers single-handedly, with an upbeat message at the end. So ultimately the sheer existence of a Native cinema by, and for, Native Americans (I think I prefer the thinking behind Russell Means' more controversial "American Indians"), and using Native source material, is more important than its weaknesses.Leads Greene and Schweig do an excellent job as the brothers in difficult circumstances, and the final scenes are powerful and emotional, and do justice to all involved. Greene's portrayal of what could have been a vastly unsympathetic character marks him out as a very talented, nuanced actor. It's extremely hard to bring pathos to an extended portrayal of an alcoholic. But the last word goes to Eric Schweig: during an interview once he was asked a question along the lines of, how would he address the stereotyping and misrepresentation of Native Americans in films? He laughs and says simply "make our own!"

I am a huge fan of director Chris Eyre and I loved "Smoke Signals" and I think that "Skins" is even better. It resonates with truth and kindness and forgiveness and unconditional love. The subject matter is at times hard to take, but it is sound in it's reality. Everybody simply has to see this movie! What are you waiting for go!!!

A story of survival from America's poorest county and a native American production that's not set in the late 1800's but today. This alone is jarring for the seasoned and discerning cinematic eye. About a Sioux Indian man on the reservation with seemingly few options, who desperately tries to do the right thing for his brother and his community but who's actions send him deeper into despair. To redeem himself includes a symbolic final scene unlike any I have ever seen in film. Film entirely on the Sioux reservation in South Dakota. I can hear John Wayne rolling over in his grave...several times.