Smoke Signals and a comparison to the short story

            Smoke Signals, a 1998 film also written by Sherman Alexie, is based off the short story, This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona. When adapting a film from a narrative, there are bound to be differences that occur between the two. In the instance of changing from a short story to a full-length motion picture, there must be additions in order to add time. In the instance of Smoke Signals, the additions help create a more dynamic story line.

            The addition of details provides more information on the two main characters of the film (and book), Victor and Thomas. At the beginning of the film, there is a fire on the Fourth of July that tragically kills both of Thomas’ parents while he is still an infant. This information helps to clarify why Thomas acts the way he does, telling stories to animals and being made fun of by virtually the entire town. In the novel, there is no explanation of why Thomas is such an obscure being. This addition to the film gives the viewer a sense of clarity that is lacking in the short story. Furthermore, the film adds a scene with the two boys getting into an accident on their way home from Arizona. Victor runs to try and get help, the scene changes from night to day before he reaches anyone. This provides an incredible transformation of character that is not developed within the short story. At the conclusion of the novel, Victor and Thomas go back to not speaking after their journey together. However, in this scene we see that Victor is growing up and taking responsibility for someone else, rather of thinking only of himself. This growing up, leads him to continue his friendship with Thomas as the conclusion of the film (or we are left with the impression that he will continue it). This addition to the film is very well placed and adds a great deal of development that the short story didn’t have time to include.

            Adapting a film from a short story can be a difficult task because there are so many areas that could be added and completely change the theme of the original text. However, I believe that Sherman Alexie does a fabulous job of keeping a theme when he introduces Suzy Song into the film. Her relationship with Victor’s father shows a different side of the man that we had started to hate due to his actions towards Victor and his mother. In the short story, the theme of forgiveness of the father is prevalent and understood by Victor and Thomas’ mutual thoughts of dispersing the ashes of Victor’s father into Spokane Falls. However, in the film, there is more resentment inside of Victor. The addition of Suzy into the film helps Victor cope with his anger and helps him understand his father’s motives. Both the film and story tell of the ashes being dispersed in the same, as a symbol of forgiveness. However, the addition of Suzy makes the film more successful in portraying how one gets to a level of forgiveness.

            Altogether, I believe that both the film and short story stick to the same plot and the main themes are the same. The additions put into the film only make it that more successful. I think that part of the success of this adaptation is that the same author writes both the short story and the film.