Four Sheets to the Wind

Cufe Smallhill's father never has much to say, but one day, he is quieter than usual. When Cufe finds his father dead beside a bottle of pills, he does as he promised and drags the body out to the family pond, unceremoniously sinking it to the bottom. But everyone in the community is expecting a big funeral, so Cufe, his cousin, and his mom decide to fake one. In the midst of mourning, Cufe realizes he is compelled to explore the world outside the reservation and find a more fulfilling life. His sister, Miri, comes from Tulsa for the funeral and invites him to visit her in the big city. She opens the door for Cufe into a new world.

Director Sterlin Harjo's wonderfully crafted first feature is a fresh and delightful film about healing and the ties that bind people together. Harjo creates a rich Oklahoma atmosphere with its rural landscapes and easy country rhythms, infusing the entire film with a warm sense of humor, while Cody Lightning and Tamara Podemski give charming performances as Cufe and Miri. Four Sheets to the Wind is a heartwarming valentine of humanity and hopeful sentiments.