This movie has a lofty goal: take on the subject of boundaries. Boundaries of race, of nationality, of sexuality, even generations. It pits father against son, American-born Mexican against an immigrant, an adopted sister against her older brother, and for one brief moment, a strong friendship versus romance.
What it doesn't do, is try to make anything of these juicy ingredients. This movie might have worked better as a 4-hour long TV drama with more characters, perhaps expending on the ambivalent wealthy white man, who both helps illegal immigrants and uses them; explain how two best friends become lovers with such ease, with no confusion or bafflement; why an older Mexican woman would break her own rules and succumb to the romantic approaches of a younger man?
None of those subjects is approached; instead, the movie hurls us forward with the speed of a stolen truck, hits us with great remorseless tragedy, and ends, as abruptly as it began.
If you have nothing better to do that afternoon, you could watch it, but I wouldn't make a special effort just on account of this movie.
What it doesn't do, is try to make anything of these juicy ingredients. This movie might have worked better as a 4-hour long TV drama with more characters, perhaps expending on the ambivalent wealthy white man, who both helps illegal immigrants and uses them; explain how two best friends become lovers with such ease, with no confusion or bafflement; why an older Mexican woman would break her own rules and succumb to the romantic approaches of a younger man?
None of those subjects is approached; instead, the movie hurls us forward with the speed of a stolen truck, hits us with great remorseless tragedy, and ends, as abruptly as it began.
If you have nothing better to do that afternoon, you could watch it, but I wouldn't make a special effort just on account of this movie.