hddu10
An American remake of the Mexican film "El Traspatio", the film is LOOSELY (can't emphasize that enough) the case of Abdel Sharif and the subsequent mass graves found in the desert surrounding Ciudad Juarez. While "El Traspatio" bases its story through the eyes of protagonists in connecting stories, Bordertown is just a formulaic, linear plot based around a name-brand actress, Jennifer Lopez. Sadly, her role as a white American reporter with a "hidden secret" (she's really Mexican...SHHHHHH!) is just too laughable to be taken seriously (the director and Jennifer apparently believe making her wear a few hair-clips magically transforms her into a maquiladora worker). So, the original was bad...and this is slightly worse.
museumofdave
First of all, the intentions of the filmmakers were seem to be worthwhile and good--to expose the sordid work conditions under which American corporations operate at the Mexican Border and which often spawn the mistreatment of the women workers following a day's or night's work. I suspect that both Jennifer Lopez and Antonio signed onto the project because of the credentials of established Latin filmmaker Gregory Nava, who has a keen eye for capturing the look and feel of a place, in this case, Ciudad Juarez. The problems, however, arise in the mixing of a documentary-style expose with the casting of a glamorous star who, not unlike Joan Crawford in her heyday, looks a little too smart and elegant for her scripted surroundings, local folks unlikely to look upon this icon (which is exactly what she appears to be) as just another local. And about half the way into this detailed examination of a mistreated worker, the film shifts into Hollywood melodrama, some unlikely over-the-top drama. I did not find it dull, but was disappointed it didn't fulfill it's best promise
Javier Marin
The first problem of this movie are the characters: weak, disconnected with the surrounding horror, and too attractive to be true. Jennifer Lopez delivers a class-B performance, as well as the always overrated Antonio Banderas. The second problem is the script. Its ludicrous looting of different sources, from literature to movies does not work at all. Having read a lot about the Ciudad Juarez crime spree, I only want to say that this movie is a cheap package with no other goal than try to make some money. But the result is obvious, superficial, submissive, and pretentious, using almost every cliché about the Mexicans and the USA-Mexico border. The author should read more Bolaño and McCarthy and forget Juanes. Final word: boredom
urlilricanpapi
I must admit I had my doubts at first since I have never considered Jennifer Lopez a good actress however but her performance was terrific she delivers her best performance in this movie that tells the true story of how thousands of Mexican women are killed in Juarez, I must say critics are not always right when it comes to classify a movie good or bad, most of the times they would praise movies because of their A-list well known directors and actors which is obviously not the case on this movie since Lopez and Bandera's are the only well known actors in this movie and none of them are considered to be A-list actors or Oscar's nominees I was terrified to see how bad things are in Juarez I could not believe such a terrible thing could happen in a city that shall be considered to be a civilized society but this movie really help us all understand how women rights are violated in certain places in the world. These victims are mostly young attractive women in their early 20's and their already facing the consequences of poverty and the government's conspiracy with women assaulter's.I personally feel Lopez performance stole many peoples heart because it felt so real how she connected herself with the story, she delivers a excellent performance in this movie. If you're not planning to put your critical hat on before you watch this movie I would highly recommend it because I am sure that you will learn things and you would get the message which is don't be part of what you know its killing thousands of innocent women who are trying to make a living. I definitely must give this movie 4 star out 5 stars because I felt connected with the events and the movie is great.
AD
