Escanaba in da Moonlight

Escanaba in da Moonlight. 2001 Purple Rose Films.
Starring: Jeff Daniels, Harve Presnell, Joey Albright, Wayne David Parker, Kimberly Norris Guerrero
Director: Jeff Daniels
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Jeff Daniels wrote, directed, and stars as Reuben Soady in this film about deer hunting set in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Reuben is almost 43 years old, and is the only member of his family who has never shot a buck during hunting season. This is apparently so taboo in the Escanaba area that he has become the town outcast, to the point that he is mocked by a school bus full of kids while driving through town. He takes the advice of his Native American wife (Guerrero), even using a drink made with moose testicles.

At deer camp with his father Albert (Presnell), brother Remnar (Albright), and the hard drinkin' Jimmy (Parker), Reuben starts experiencing strange phenomena, and they are all possessed by spirits. In the middle of the night, a dazed Reuben runs out in his long underwear and hat, climbs a tall cliff, and comes across his deceased great grandfather, Alphonse, who points out that a "bearwalk" (a Native American legend) has become a buck just for Reuben. Working up his courage, Reuben finally shoots that elusive buck.

This film is a favorite of some of my relatives, who are lifelong residents of Michigan, although none to my knowledge live in or around the Escanaba area (they are either concentrated in northeast Michigan, or near the Detroit area). However, this one might not really appeal to too many people outside of the state, particularly the faithful depictions of the traditional Michigan customs, dialects, and way of life. If you really want to see the movie, try to track down a Michigan native to see it with, just in case.