Book Thomas vs. Film Thomas

In the film there is a point where Sonya Song (Arnold Joseph's ex-girlfriend) asks Thomas if he wants lies or if he wants the truth. Thomas responds by saying "I want both." This is evidence of Thomas as a trickster character. I would argue that in this scene truth is being treated much the same way that time is treated by American Indians. Both truth and time seem to be liquid and non-linear. There is a blurring of the line between truth and lies. In these ways Thomas represents traditional Indian values. In the book Thomas also seems to have little concern about whether his stories are truth or myth. In "The Trial of Thomas Builds-The-Fire" Thomas claims to have been a horse at one point. Clearly this is impossible, but in Alexie's world of magic realism Thomas' testimony seems legitimate.
In the film Alexie chose to linger at Arnold Joseph's trailer. In the book Victor and Thomas quickly leave the trailer. During this extended time at the trailer we, as viewers, learn many things about the relationship between Victor and his father. We learn that nearly every story told by Thomas is not true. We learn that it was Arnold who accidentally started the fire that killed Thomas' parents. We also learn that Victor's mother did not feed one hundred Indians with fifty pieces of frybread by ripping each piece in half. Furthermore, we learn that Arnold himself was a story teller, and that he lied to Sonya about a basketball game against two Jesuit priests. Arnold claimed that Victor hit the winning shot, when in reality Victor missed the shot and lost the game. This relaxed position on truth seems to be a theme in both the movie and the text.

In the film, when Victor and Thomas are heading back to the reservation in Arnold's truck there is a heated exchange. Thomas shows a level of aggression that we do not get from the text or in any other point in the movie. He yells at Victor, telling him that he doesn't know who he is, and accuses him of making his mother cry. Overall in the book the relationship between Thomas and Victor is more cordial. Victor is at times, curious to hear Thomas' stories. In the book Thomas is more passive and his stories create a more lasting effect on the reader. Perhaps the medium of film necessitates a more abrasive relationship between Victor and Thomas. Given only two hours, Alexie must have assumed that in order for the dynamic between these two characters to make a point, the dialog had to be more confrontational.
There is a funny moment towards the end of the film when the nurse praises Victor and Thomas for their bravery. Victor ran twenty miles to the nearest town to call for help after they witness a drunk driving accident. The nurse says that the two are like the lone ranger and Tonto. Thomas corrects the nurse by saying, "No, we're more like Tonto and Tonto."
I would argue that Alexie is attempting to show how American Indians do not always stick together. In the book when Thomas is looking for a sign at the falls he sees nothing, but Arnold takes him to Denny's for breakfast. Thomas concludes that "Your dad was my vision. Take care of eachother is what my dreams were saying. Take care of eachother." Throughout the film Victor wants nothing to do with Thomas. You might even argue that Victor is simply using Thomas for his money. They argue and fight throughout the film. In the text we see that Alexie/Victor understand that Indians often fight eachother; "Forget about cowboys versus Indians business. The most intense competition on any reservation is Indians versus Indians."In the book, when Victor and Thomas return to the reservation, there is a somewhat awkward moment where they both can't quite find the words to sum up their journey. But Victor promises that he will earnestly listen to one of Thomas' stories sometime. In the film the understanding between Thomas and Victor is much more tangible and meaningful. Victor takes the initiative and pours half of his fathers ashes into Thomas' coin jar, effectively thanking Thomas for his support and wisdom.

The final scene of this movie is all about forgiveness. Victor finally pours his fathers ashes into the river. During this moment of release we hear the words of Thomas, and his message of forgiveness. At the end of the movie, more so than in the book, we feel a sense of redemption and forgiveness towards Victor's father. And through this forgiveness of his father Victor comes to terms with his own identity, thanks to Thomas' storytelling.