Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Frank docu prompts questions about sports, race, and family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Off the Rez
What's the Story?
Executive-produced by Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, OFF THE REZ is a feature-length documentary following Native American basketball phenom Shoni Schimmel—one of the most talented high school players in the country. With Shoni's undeniable talent on the court catching the eyes of college scouts, she leaves the Umatilla Indian Reservation behind and moves with her family to Portland, Oregon, where she plays ball with a suburban team (and for her mother, who's the team's new coach) and moves one step closer to a coveted college scholarship. But to Shoni and her passionate family, there's far more at stake than a free education.
Is It Any Good?
Liking sports isn't a prerequisite for appreciating this no-frills coming-of-age story about a seriously talented girl who applies equal seriousness to making her family and culture proud. As it turns out, Shoni Schimmel's story in Off the Rez is engaging enough, no matter where your interests lie.
Forgoing editing tricks that could arguably improve the pacing, filmmaker Jonathan Hock largely presents the action as it unfolds, resulting in a story that feels real—and, at times, appropriately bleak. Because the truth is this: In spite of Shoni's bright prospects, the realities of her family's struggles, both off the rez and on, are a palpable obstacle to her ultimate success. The film also explores the sobering fact that Native Americans often face racism on multiple fronts, both external and internalized. While the documentary has a happy ending, and Shoni went on to great success, becoming the pride of her community, her story hit a rough patch in 2023 when she was arrested and pleaded guilty to domestic violence. But in the end, this documentary reveals a point in time worth remembering: when Schimmel broke ground for herself and her community.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the racism Shoni and her family face in Off the Rez. How does it affect the members of the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation? What are the negative effects to individuals, or to society as a whole?
How do the adults in Shoni's life help her succeed? Do their own pasts influence how hard Shoni's parents push their daughter? At what point does familial support start to feel like pressure?
How does Shoni cope with pressure? Who does she go to for inspiration and support? How do you cope when you're feeling overwhelmed?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 26, 2011
- Cast : Shoni Schimmel , Ceci Moses , Delores Moses
- Network : TLC
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 14, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate