A simple, tranquil coming-of-age tale
Frybread Face and Me is a simple but enjoyable coming of age tale. It’s mot a particularly trying picture, moving at a slow, methodical pace while also playing out with the overly familiar trope of “city kid learns rural ways”.
The story centers on Benny, a preteen who’s sent to live on his grandma’s homestead in the Navajo wilderness. It’s the summer of 1990 and Benny is obsessed with Fleetwood Mac and playing with his “dolls” (action figures). However, when his parents suddenly decide they’re sending him to live with his grandma, city kid Benny finds himself all alone in the Arizona outback.
Benny’s feelings find him constantly grappling for his place in all this, caught between his antagonistic uncle Marvin and his proud ancestral grandmother who refuses to speak any English. However, all of this changes when Benny meets Dawn (Frybread Face). His cousin ends up serving as Benny’s guide through this strange new world, as he slowly starts to connect with everyone around him.
There’s no romance or surprising subplots here, but where the film excels in its in character drama and journeys. Everyone here has a consistent arc and all of that is interwoven around Native American culture and values. There’s some really lovely scenes in here and seeing Marvin’s journey across the movie is arguably one of the big highlights.
Similarly, the bond between Fry and Benny is something that really helps glue the film together and their comradery is a definite stand out. There’s a deliberate, tranquil feel to the way this film plays out and for the most part, the dialogue is well written and helps heighten the movie.
Of course, as far as slice of life dramas go, Frybread Face and Me is rather predictable. There’s not much in terms of originality here beyond the Native American culture and themes (which is always lovely to see). The character arc for Benny adheres to the simple tropes we mentioned before, and there’s unlikely to be much here that will surprise you.
However, given the film only runs for around 75 minutes, this one never outstays its welcome and the message is heart-warming enough to give this one a go. It’s certainly not going to blow you away, but it’s a nice change of pace from the usual bombastic blockbusters or quirky comedies out at the moment.
Read More: Frybread Face and Me Ending Explained
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Verdict - 6.5/10
6.5/10