Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Last night we watched "A Thief of Time", a Tony Hillerman TV movie produced by Robert Redford. It's maybe my favorite of the three movies that were produced years ago starring Adam Beach and Wes Studi. Even though the middle one was written by my former creative writing student, Jaimie Redford. Last year Studi won a special Oscar and gave a terrific speech. This year he was named one of the 20 best actors of this century so far by the New York Times. Of course, like everyone else I first encountered him in "Last of the Mohicans". As Mugwa, he ruled the screen. Yes, I had a crush on Daniel Day Lewis, but Studi was electrifying. The last movie I saw with him was "Hostiles", which was wonderful, except for the ending. My husband asked me last night which actor (Indiginous) I preferred: Gary Farmer, Graham Greene, Adam Beach, Eric Sweig, Sheila Tousey, Tantoo Cardinal, or Studi. I paused, because I adore Gary Farmer in "Dead Man", and love the rest, but I went with Studi. His face is distinctive, alive with physicality, and he has such a wide range. I feel he is a national treasure.