by carlyinrome
Thunderheart, as we've already discussed, is thoughtful even in wardrobing. As Ray goes more native/further off the reservation (depending on which on the nose cliche you prefer) he leaves this starched, standard issue FBI look, gradually working down to jeans and a t-shirt. (I'm interested that he had all these options packed, and it makes me wonder when he packed his bag. More on that in a minute.)
After Maggie Eagle Bear's son is shot, Ray gives Maggie his tie to use as a tourniquet en route to the rez clinic. The last time I watched the film, I noticed that Ray never wears a tie after that, though he does wear a suit again. So I wondered: did he only pack one tie? The answer is no:
After Maggie Eagle Bear's son is shot, Ray gives Maggie his tie to use as a tourniquet en route to the rez clinic. The last time I watched the film, I noticed that Ray never wears a tie after that, though he does wear a suit again. So I wondered: did he only pack one tie? The answer is no:
Here's the tie Ray wears on his first day on the rez. (Also to Dawes' office, which makes me wonder: when did he pack? It's about a three hour flight from DC to Rapid City, and at least an hour and a half drive from the Rapid City airport to the rez (Coutelle says it's eighty some miles). Add to that the time it takes Coutelle to drive through the rez to the dump site. It is still light out when Ray first examines Leo Fast Elk. More than that: Ray and Coutelle break up the sweat lodge ceremony, arrest Jimmy, take him back to his house, and pursue him. After all that, school's still in session.
So, let's say Ray goes to see Dawes first thing in the morning; let's call it 8 AM. Add in a three hour flight. Rapid City and Pine Ridge (which the Bear Creek Indian Reservation is based on) are both on Mountain Standard Time, which is two hours behind DC time, so Ray arrives in South Dakota at 11 AM DC time and 9 AM South Dakota time. An hour and a half drive to the rez, plus all the driving around the rez to get to the dump site: 11 AM SD time. We know that they sent Leo to the ME in Rapid City; let's say that takes them an hour (that's me being conservative, because that's a lot of crap that has to be done, even if they don't drive the body there themselves, which would tack on another hour and a half): 12 PM. They round up and mobilize backup, break up the sweat lodge ceremony, arrest Jimmy, take him back to his house, lose and pursue him. Let's say for argument's sake that this takes two hours, though I feel I'm being conservative again: 2 PM. They then have to search the rez for Jimmy, including the schoolhouse before school closes. Let's say this happens at three. Ray's schedule does not have a lot of wiggle room (also, poor boy's having a really long day.)
My point -- and I do have one -- is that Ray did not have time to go home to pack a bag for his assignment. He probably either (a) left the house having already packed a bag, or (b) always has a bag with several changes of clothes (for different social settings) either in his car, or at the FBI building. I find this insanely interesting.
So, let's say Ray goes to see Dawes first thing in the morning; let's call it 8 AM. Add in a three hour flight. Rapid City and Pine Ridge (which the Bear Creek Indian Reservation is based on) are both on Mountain Standard Time, which is two hours behind DC time, so Ray arrives in South Dakota at 11 AM DC time and 9 AM South Dakota time. An hour and a half drive to the rez, plus all the driving around the rez to get to the dump site: 11 AM SD time. We know that they sent Leo to the ME in Rapid City; let's say that takes them an hour (that's me being conservative, because that's a lot of crap that has to be done, even if they don't drive the body there themselves, which would tack on another hour and a half): 12 PM. They round up and mobilize backup, break up the sweat lodge ceremony, arrest Jimmy, take him back to his house, lose and pursue him. Let's say for argument's sake that this takes two hours, though I feel I'm being conservative again: 2 PM. They then have to search the rez for Jimmy, including the schoolhouse before school closes. Let's say this happens at three. Ray's schedule does not have a lot of wiggle room (also, poor boy's having a really long day.)
My point -- and I do have one -- is that Ray did not have time to go home to pack a bag for his assignment. He probably either (a) left the house having already packed a bag, or (b) always has a bag with several changes of clothes (for different social settings) either in his car, or at the FBI building. I find this insanely interesting.
The next day, Ray has a new tie. (And a new tie clip. In fact, he has a new tie clip for each tie; not only does he have outfits for many occasions all picked out, he has outfits for many occasions with specific matching accessories.)
Day Three. (Although I think Coutelle counts it as Day Two.) Ray is wearing a new tie; it has the same pattern as the previous day's, but the background is a different color. (And he's wearing it with a different tie clip, because he has to be just that adorable.)
(For those of you who are not as enamored of this film as I am -- read: everyone but Holly -- Ray's expression in the first picture is, Ah, a rock. Just what I've always wanted. Also: yes, there are better shots with a full-length view of that tie, but how could I not pick that one?)
(For those of you who are not as enamored of this film as I am -- read: everyone but Holly -- Ray's expression in the first picture is, Ah, a rock. Just what I've always wanted. Also: yes, there are better shots with a full-length view of that tie, but how could I not pick that one?)
The next day, Ray goes to see Maggie first thing, and he's wearing a festive new tie. This is the tie he uses as a tourniquet for her son, and after he takes it off, he never puts on another tie. (Also: Maggie has a doggie in her yard, and it's not even Jimmy!)
And, for those of you not as enamored of this film as I am, Ray's expression in the first picture is, Oh, yeah, I'm going to get my way.
And, for those of you not as enamored of this film as I am, Ray's expression in the first picture is, Oh, yeah, I'm going to get my way.
Ray never wears a tie again, but he does wear a suit again. It's the same suit, jacket, and shirt as Day Three, but he's wearing it without a tie. Why am I making a big deal about this? I just imagine Ray getting dressed after washing Maggie's son's blood off him, the "cold shower" he was ordered to take, noosing a tie around his neck, and then stopping, thinking of what happened to the last one, and just not being able to finish, throwing the tie away.
THIS MOVIE.
(Also, please notice in the background, an Indian at the powwow wearing a denim jacket with an inverted American flag decal, just like at Jimmy's house. This. Movie.)
THIS MOVIE.
(Also, please notice in the background, an Indian at the powwow wearing a denim jacket with an inverted American flag decal, just like at Jimmy's house. This. Movie.)