I bought this DVD because recently I've become aware of the actor Raul Castillo through the HBO series "Looking", and I've been quite impressed. So, I wanted to see him in a different setting. I wasn't expecting much from this indie film that I'd never heard of. Let me tell you, I was pretty darned impressed.
As a retired school principal, I had the opportunity to work with quite a few Latino students (albeit more Central American than Mexican), and this film reminded me a lot of that -- mostly good people who were friendly and hard workers...and a few who were not. But what's most interesting here is that the story goes beyond what you might normally expect.
You're probably going to think that you're not going to really like Carmine Famigleitti's character. Fat, sloppy, lazy. But, he turns out to be a fair person who will give someone a chance. And that someone here is Raul Castillo's character -- an illegal Mexican day laborer struggling to make it in the United States. They don't seem to have much in common...but they develop something in common. Carmine begins to learn a little Spanish, and Raul begins to learn a little English. When Carmine stands up for Raul when Raul is accused of theft, the bond becomes stronger. And here's what's important that so many Americans ought to learn -- Raul's character and his wife (Jennifer Pena)...these are people you would like to know and would be proud to know. And, they are excited to have an American friend. And I think that's one of the lessons of this film.
Of course, the film can't just be one big happy story. There's a little problem with a sleazy legal Mexican played by Manny Perez. He wants to cause trouble for Raul. Of course -- and this is a flaw in the film -- Raul and Carmine (who ends up looking for work, too) could have just moved to a different location where they wouldn't have had the Manny problem. But, that wouldn't have advanced the story line. Manny stabs Raul...and that brings to light a surprising BIG plot twist, and as a result of being sent to the hospital, Raul is deported back to Mexico. And then makes the walk through the desert to return to the United States, where Carmine is waiting for him in New Mexico. Will he make it on foot? Will the border police arrest Carmine? SPOILER ALERT: This is a powerful film.
I certainly wasn't disappointed with Raul Castillo's performance. The only thing I don't understand is why his career hasn't taken off more. He's got something special in terms of being very real in the characters he plays. And this film is no exception. Carmine Famiglietti is wonderfully effective here. And, Jennifer Pena is terrific, as well.
Late in the film you're going to wonder what happened to the bad guy (Manny). If you pay attention early in the film to a news item, you'll figure it out. Otherwise, you'll miss it entirely.
There are a lot of people...you know, like Republicans...who will hate this movie. But this movie is not about politics, even though illegal immigration is a hot topic. This film doesn't get into politics. It just gets into a very human story about 3 people trying to survive and be happy.
Highly recommended for people who like realism.
As a retired school principal, I had the opportunity to work with quite a few Latino students (albeit more Central American than Mexican), and this film reminded me a lot of that -- mostly good people who were friendly and hard workers...and a few who were not. But what's most interesting here is that the story goes beyond what you might normally expect.
You're probably going to think that you're not going to really like Carmine Famigleitti's character. Fat, sloppy, lazy. But, he turns out to be a fair person who will give someone a chance. And that someone here is Raul Castillo's character -- an illegal Mexican day laborer struggling to make it in the United States. They don't seem to have much in common...but they develop something in common. Carmine begins to learn a little Spanish, and Raul begins to learn a little English. When Carmine stands up for Raul when Raul is accused of theft, the bond becomes stronger. And here's what's important that so many Americans ought to learn -- Raul's character and his wife (Jennifer Pena)...these are people you would like to know and would be proud to know. And, they are excited to have an American friend. And I think that's one of the lessons of this film.
Of course, the film can't just be one big happy story. There's a little problem with a sleazy legal Mexican played by Manny Perez. He wants to cause trouble for Raul. Of course -- and this is a flaw in the film -- Raul and Carmine (who ends up looking for work, too) could have just moved to a different location where they wouldn't have had the Manny problem. But, that wouldn't have advanced the story line. Manny stabs Raul...and that brings to light a surprising BIG plot twist, and as a result of being sent to the hospital, Raul is deported back to Mexico. And then makes the walk through the desert to return to the United States, where Carmine is waiting for him in New Mexico. Will he make it on foot? Will the border police arrest Carmine? SPOILER ALERT: This is a powerful film.
I certainly wasn't disappointed with Raul Castillo's performance. The only thing I don't understand is why his career hasn't taken off more. He's got something special in terms of being very real in the characters he plays. And this film is no exception. Carmine Famiglietti is wonderfully effective here. And, Jennifer Pena is terrific, as well.
Late in the film you're going to wonder what happened to the bad guy (Manny). If you pay attention early in the film to a news item, you'll figure it out. Otherwise, you'll miss it entirely.
There are a lot of people...you know, like Republicans...who will hate this movie. But this movie is not about politics, even though illegal immigration is a hot topic. This film doesn't get into politics. It just gets into a very human story about 3 people trying to survive and be happy.
Highly recommended for people who like realism.