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The Business of Fancydancing is an intriguing and somewhat frustrating viewing experience. Instead of following the rules for mainstream narrative cinema, writer-director Sherman Alexie created a patchwork of naturalistic dramatic scenes, simulated home video footage, performances pieces (including ceremonial Native American dances), and mock interviews with a couple of the main characters. This deliberately jagged approach may have been intended to pay homage to the Native American oral tradition, get the audience thinking about some of the issues that are raised in the film, and reflect the split nature of some of the characters' identities; it also serves to put the filmmaker's personal stamp on the movie and to flesh out its emotional foundation. Unfortunately, Alexie's mosaic approach seems too literary (as opposed to cinematic) at times, the individual parts don't always flow together seamlessly, and the interview segments get rather annoying (due in part to the condescending and confrontational manner of the interviewer). Furthermore, the acting is uneven and the screenplay seems too open-ended. Nonetheless, Alexie offers an interesting perspective on assimilation and personal identity, some of the film's individual scenes are compelling, and the movie isn't too hard to follow despite its unconventional structure. The film does provide viewers with food for thought even if it isn't completely satisfying.