elzaminor
While I agree with many others that this film had many unrealistic lines and images, I feel the big picture frey was going for was achieved in showing a rarely seen take on illegal immigration. I know quite a few people who are 'half and half' and many are very conflicted about what to think of and/or how to deal with the illegal immigration problem. So I forgive many of the criticisms from a film making point of view because it did present a very realistic portrait of one man's struggle.while I would not give him any directorial awards, I think he was the perfect choice to star in this. I sure would have selected an actual latina for the female role of Eva, but he financed the thing. I feel he would have had better luck by not going astroid with a pretty far out there 'work it off for a year' thing. 99% of the people coming across are let go the second money hits the coyote's palm. Same with the multiple murder. That makes for a great trailer, but how often does that happen? I guess when you do your own financing you can take a liberty or two. So I suggest it for those who have an interest in this topic. If you're in film school and desperately need ideas on how to become the next Scorcese, pick another flick.
rac415
Ok, this is not a great film. It was shot on digital video in 18 days, with a budget of 200,000. However I scored this a 9, because it has more heart and passion than anything Hollywood has put out lately. It should be seen by everyone, especially if you live in a border state. It starts off with some truly awkward racist remarks that will make you squirm. Honestly, I was at first turned off and considered leaving. But stick with it, because after about 15 minutes you will be hooked. Low budget be damned. The director actor star should be applauded and rewarded for bringing this labor of compassion to the screen. It is an important issue, and my eyes were opened.
gilipollas
I actually thought this movie was really good. Especially if you consider they filmed it in 18 days with only 200,000 dollars, as I was told by the J.C. Frey, the Director/writer/main actor, when they screened the film here at the U of A, in Tucson. The story is mostly accurate from what I've witnessed living in Tucson for 5 years and Phoenix for 10. So many Mexicans die crossing the border, their families are split in search of better jobs, or they are coerced into criminal labor that I think a movie like this puts the issues at the forefront. Hell, the migrant group (secondary actors with little or no speaking roles) were real Mexican workers who the film crew hired for realism. I think that's really cool.And for someone living in Arizona, where the previews at theaters are often preempted by "Methlabs and kids don't mix" anouncements, the story of Adam/Juan Carlos being forced to work in the methlab is all too real. Just because this is an independent movie and therefore limited to resources doesn't mean it's bad. The secondary theme of Adam rediscovering his Mexican roots is very powerful and also a very prevalent theme in the southwest, especially.
Gerardo
I hardly ever say this, but this is a very, very bad movie. I gave it a one...I don't think I'd ever rated a movie a one, out of dozens of movies I've rated. For starters, the portrayals are COMPLETELY inaccurate. I grew up in a border town in Mexico (before eventually moving to the border town in the U.S.), and this is not even close to reality. Sure, movies are not reality, but this movie also has no point, no real story, horrendous acting, and, the worst aspect of the movie, an awful script. Every line is not only full of cheese, but it actually doesn't mean anything (to the movie or to real life). Please, if you ever see this movie, do not even begin to consider the possibility of getting anything informative out of it. I really dislike bashing someone, but I can't help to think how in the world this guy got to make this movie and, worst of all, release it nationwide. Again, portrayals of ALL people (not only Mexicans) and individual characters are especially unjust. I actually went into the theatre with a positive attitude and favorable expectations, so if it would've been something in-the-middle, I would've given you the benefit of the doubt, but the truth is that, *gulp*, this is the worst movie I recall watching.
AD
