The film Smoke Signals centers on the relationship between Thomas and Victor, two Native Americans, as they embark on a journey to discover their true identities. Thomas was raised by his grandmother after losing his parents in a fire during infancy. In contrast, it is disclosed that Arnold, Victor’s father, is responsible for this tragic incident. However, despite these circumstances, Thomas remains closely tied to his Native American heritage and greatly values their traditions and storytelling practices.
Victor may come across as a mean and cold individual, but he harbors emotional distress regarding his father and his childhood. He consistently exhibits rudeness towards Thomas and finds his storytelling quite bothersome. Thomas shares tales about Arnold, who Victor despises due to their troubled history and his personal hatred towards his father. However, as their journey progresses, their sentiments undergo a transformation, ultimately resulting in Thomas and Victor developing a stronger bond than ever before. Both the movie and the short story commence with a common storyline – Arnold unintentionally starting a fire on July 4th while Victor and Thomas were infants. Tragically, Thomas’s parents lost their lives, but they managed to save Thomas by throwing him out of the window, with Arnold catching him.
The relationship and characteristics of Victor and Thomas differ significantly in the movie compared to the short story. In the short story, they are portrayed as cousins, whereas in the movie they are depicted as childhood friends. Another major difference is the altercation that occurs between them while growing up. In the movie, this occurs when Thomas confronts Victor about his absent father, prompting Victor to become enraged and physically assault Thomas.
The short story includes a scene in which 15-year-old Victor is drunk and Norma, a passing lady, intervenes. A additional scene not mentioned in the short story depicts Thomas watching Victor engage in basketball with his friends. This particular scene emphasizes Arnold’s pride in Victor’s basketball skills. Similarly, another non-existent scene in the short story portrays young Thomas and Victor conversing by a campfire about stories.
Before Victor sets off to retrieve his father’s ashes, Thomas proposes that he provides financial support for the trip on the condition that he joins Victor on the journey. However, there are differences between the movie and short story adaptations. In the movie version, Victor consults his mother for guidance before making a decision and later informs Thomas of his agreement to let him come along.
In the short story, Victor refused Thomas’ offer to lend him money because they were not friends and had not spoken for a while. However, Thomas argued that friendship was not necessary and all he wanted was for Victor to bring him along. In the movie adaptation, Victor went to Thomas’ grandmother’s house in person to inform him of his decision, whereas in the short story he only called him.
After embarking on their journey to gather Arnold’s ashes and belongings, they encounter several individuals and undergo numerous shared experiences along the way. There are several disparities between the travel depicted in the movie and that portrayed in the short story, particularly regarding their mode of transportation. In the short story, they board a plane bound for Phoenix, Arizona, where they cross paths with Cathy. They engage in pleasant conversation with Cathy, and upon arrival, they hail a taxi. This stands in stark contrast to the limited funds they possess for their expedition, making the movie’s version appear more plausible.
In the movie, they had two friends pick them up and drive them to the bus station, but these friends had an unusual habit of only driving in reverse. On the bus, they encounter a girl who shares stories about being a backup for the Olympics. Victor becomes upset and yells at her, questioning her relevance as only a replacement. After the bus ride, Thomas and Victor continue on foot to their destination.
In the movie, when they reach Arnold’s old trailer, they encounter Suzie. Suzie has a significant role as she prompts Victor to reflect on and reconsider whether his father was truly as terrible as he believed. Eventually, Victor comes to the realization that his father was actually a good person. In the short story, however, they simply collect the ashes and return in Arnold’s pickup truck. Another pivotal moment in the movie’s ending is when Victor shares half of Arnold’s ashes with Thomas. This gesture signifies a profound transformation in their bond, making them resemble brothers now.
In both the movie and the short story, Victor gives the ashes to his mother. At the end, Victor demonstrates his care for Thomas by promising to listen to one of his stories, which he had initially despised. The movie effectively portrays Victor’s transformation from hatred to love and how it shapes him into a kinder individual. Additionally, the movie provides a deeper insight into the father’s character, making him more prominent. Ultimately, Thomas and Victor develop a brotherly bond throughout their journey.
