Watch Cowboys & Indians

Cowboys & Indians is an independent film that brings to life the personal struggle of a Native American man to find his place in the ever-evolving society of modern America. The film takes place in rural Montana and primarily focuses on the lives of two men, one of whom is Arapaho and the other a white man, and how their friendship and loyalty are tested in the face of cultural and societal differences.

The main character, Johnny, is a proud and traditional Arapaho man who is struggling to find his place in a world that has largely forgotten about Native American culture. Johnny spends his days working on his family's ranch, but his passion lies in rodeo. He dreams of one day competing in the rodeo circuit, but he is held back by both financial constraints and the disapproval of his family who see rodeo as a dangerous sport.

Johnny's best friend is a white man named Hank, who also works on the ranch. Hank is loyal to Johnny and his family, but he sometimes struggles to understand the complexities of Native American culture. The two men develop a strong bond over their shared love of ranching and rodeo, but tensions begin to rise as Johnny's desire to pursue his dreams clashes with his family's expectations.

The film offers a thought-provoking commentary on the challenges Native Americans face in modern-day America. Through Johnny's story, we see the ways in which traditional beliefs and customs can clash with the demands of modern society. We also see how individuals like Johnny must navigate these challenges while also dealing with the lingering effects of historical trauma and discrimination.

In addition to exploring issues of culture and identity, Cowboys & Indians also offers a compelling story about friendship and loyalty. The relationship between Johnny and Hank is at the heart of the film, and viewers will find themselves rooting for the two men as they struggle to navigate the complexities of their friendship.

The film is buoyed by strong performances from its lead actors. Alvin Cowan delivers a nuanced performance as Johnny, balancing the character's quiet dignity with the frustration and sadness he feels at being caught between two worlds. Steve Guilmette also impresses as Hank, bringing a warmth and humor to the character that makes him instantly likable.

Katy Maloney plays Johnny's sister, Marcy, who is caught between her loyalty to her family and her desire to live her own life. Maloney's performance is a standout, and she brings a depth and complexity to the character that makes her an integral part of the story.

Director and co-writer Mark L. Lester does an excellent job of capturing the beauty of rural Montana, and the film is filled with stunning shots of the rolling plains and majestic mountains. The cinematography is top-notch, and the use of sweeping landscape shots helps to convey the majesty of the natural world.

Overall, Cowboys & Indians is a powerful film that offers a compelling commentary on issues of culture, identity, and friendship. The film's strong performances and beautiful cinematography make it a must-see for anyone interested in thought-provoking independent films.

Cowboys & Indians is a 2011 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 2.3.