It is immediately apparent, after finishing the movie The Education of Little Tree, that there was a book. It is "Inexpertly Abridged" in it's movie which glosses though everything so quickly and with such fleeting or nonexistent transitions that it feels like five, or so, independent stories -- and could have been so many short films instead of one feature. It was originally intended as a made-for-TV movie. Things go so quickly that "The Education of" could have been scratched from the title without missing anything. It's supposed original title is "Me and Granpa" and could have worked better for Granpa is the most developed, or at lest interesting, character. He's like Crocodile Dundee but he likes his knife more. And drinks whiskey. And lived in the 20's.
There are some very good parts to The Education of Little Tree, and some good things to say, but it is also hyper-romantic about Native Americans. Which in itself can be good and bad. The author of the book, Asa Earl "Forrest" Carter, convinced himself that he was part Indian and the grown-up Little Tree when in reality he used to be a segregationist politician and member of the KKK. It is good that he (apparently) learned that white people aren't the "Master Race", a little ironic that he now (apparently) believes that Cherokees are, and good that he learned the value of living frugally. But he never did live in the mountains, he lived in Texas and Alabama. This does a disservice to the Cherokees, this over-romantic view, but it also does a service. Forrest himself is the proof of that--even if he lied about his past and claimed this story as a memoir. This attitude can garner respect, but a cheapened, unreal respect based on falsities. Likewise, if his memoir is fake, then perhaps his kernels of wisdom about frugal mountain living are just as fictional.
Who wants that?
Well, a lot of people. But it is not as nice as respect based on who you actually are. And I believe in his living ideals, not in those he held as Asa Carter. His transformation was positive, if not perfect, and his story is largely wise, if not perfect. Besides, there's a hilarious scene with a frog, some funny stuff about politics (especially interesting considering his background as a speech writer) and shoes. And some stark truth to the Carlisle-esque Indian re-education schools. The movie just isn't told with the greatest degree of skill.
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