Crossing Arizona (2006) User Reviews

Just Here For a Job

[ThomasDrufke · 7/10 · 12 April 2015]

Crossing Arizona is a small documentary about the illegal immigration that goes on daily between the Mexico-Arizona border. Unlike some documentaries on this issue, the filmmakers do a good job of showing both sides of the story. Whether it's the people who bring the immigrants water on a day to day basis or it's the minutemen volunteering to stop crossings, this film examines the struggles that people living around this area go through in this constant fight to live.

Part of the reason why the documentary kept me engaged was the constant back and forth between sides. You would here the policemen/minutemen talk about how many people die each year coming across the border and whether or not its worth it. Then the very next scene shows the people living on the border who help the migrants or even an immigrant themselves talk about how important it is to get a job to support their family. It's that constant balance of opinions that I thought kept this film afloat. I also appreciated how there is no typical documentary narration or voice of god taking over your own opinions. For the most part the doc gives us facts and real life scenarios without making us feel one way or the other.

The thing that this documentary touches on a little bit, which I believe to be fact, is that immigration will always be a thing. We can try to do our best to keep everyone out but it's always going to be there. I don't have any problem with people helping other people get across, or at least keep them alive. Nor do I have any problem with people protesting immigration or at least stating their opinion. As long as they are not directly hurting them. So Crossing Arizona is an example of a well made documentary that played the topic coy about what exactly they wanted to show but it was successful in giving a thought provoking doc about immigration.

+Gives both sides

+Understanding both sides

-Could have gone more in depth with the issues

7.2/10

It's all about the message

[kyle-florence · 7/10 · 21 March 2008]

A fairly decent documentary that does a good job of covering almost all the major issues with border crossing and immigration between the United States and Mexico.

While it was quite obvious that it was shot on a low budget, the message is there and it's great to hear the opinions of people living right next to the border. Great points are brought up, both for and against immigration, but above all it does justice to the humanitarian side of the issue. I'm glad there are people out there helping the illegal immigrants live in the desert. While I would rather have legislation that makes it easier for immigrants to safely find work in the United States, there is no reason why people should have to die trying to cross here illegally. It's truly a very sad and complex problem and it desperately needs addressing.

The thought of the crossing of Arizona is now crossing our minds.

[elirakis · 7/10 · 11 June 2006]

This documentary is a harsh yet fair depiction of the thousands of migrants who attempt to enter the U.S. through Arizona each day and their struggles and the struggles the U.S. is having with boarder security. We learn that there has been a large influx of migrants who are crossing and a large conflict in what to do about it. This film proved to be quite intriguing, allowing a fair depiction through different views any where from those people against boarder crossing, farmers, "coyotes" or guides, and even those people part of the boarder community. The story is well comprised and explores many ideas on the issue. Overall very interesting, insightful and well presented.

You mean that immigration is a complicated problem?

[rickernst1 · 10/10 · 24 April 2006]

There are no simple answers to the problem of immigration contrary to what Lou Dobbs or what Bill O'Reilly says and this film documents all the divergent views of what should be done. Since I live in southern Arizona I saw some very familiar faces who have been involved in this for a long time. The desperation of courage of the "economic refugees" was inspirational to me and this film documented that. If you don't understand the complexities of immigration---Arizona style you must see this movie! Whether your view is "close the borders" or "how can I help these poor people" Crossing Arizona is a good way to discover the entire story. What are the jobs that have been promised to the immigrant? I did not see any explanation of that. The way I understand it, most have a promise of a job in a distant US city if they can travel there.

Great movie, already been done

[jazmin0201 · 5/10 · 26 August 2006]

I liked this film but it reminded me a lot of another film I saw a while ago. I think it was called Walking the Line and it also looked at the Minutemen and the humanitarians in Arizona. In fact, there were so many of the same characters--even the Native American guy who puts out water for migrants--that it makes me a bit suspicious...Overall, it was still a good film and I'm glad it sheds light on a serious issue, but it definitely suffers a bit from unoriginality, especially considering it felt like I had already seen it before. There are so many important views and nuances with this complex issue that I wish the filmmakers had branched out a bit more...