Bordertown
2.5/4
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Maya Zapata, Martin Sheen, Antonio Banderas, Sonia Braga
Rated R for Violence including a Brutal Rape, Sexuality, Nudity and Language
"Bordertown" is one of those movies that fails to find a balance between a message movie and crowd pleasing entertainment. This is a social issue drama about a topic that needs to be told, but the need to appease those who love action and cheap thrills, it includes unnecessary elements like an out-of-place romance and shocks that belong in a slasher movie.
In 1994, the United States Government signed the North American Trade Agreement with Mexico, allowing products for Americans to be made cheaply just across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This allowed the expansion of maquiladoras (sweatshops), and an influx of women looking for work. It also lead to an increase in violence against women. Estimated death toll is 370+ since 1993 (the film however claims its more than 5000). A reporter, Lauren Adrian (Lopez), takes the story in the hopes that she will become an international reporter. When she gets to Juarez, she finds that there is a survivor of one of these brutal attacks. This frightened young woman, Eva (Zapata) may be the key to stopping it. But there are those who are working behind the scenes to make sure that the story never gets out.
By all accounts, this should make a good movie. Serial killers, conspiracies, sex...all components of a great thriller. The problem is that they're included in a movie that is meant to wake people up. If you want to alert people to a horrible crime or plight, honesty is the best policy. Beefing it up with thriller elements only makes the film cheap and distasteful.
The acting is effective, but not standout. Jennifer Lopez, who can be a great actress when she works at it, is adequate as Lauren, but she mainly relies on her good looks and charisma instead of her talent. This is the third time she has worked for writer/director Gregory Nava (the other films being "My Family" and "Selena"). Mia Zapata is quite good as Eva. She earns our sympathy despite the fact that she has one too many nightmares. Martin Sheen is on hand, but he doesn't have much to do except encourage Lauren. He's really a plot device rather than an actual character. Antonio Banderas is very good as Lauren's old pal as well.
After seeing the wonderful "Selena," I expected more from Nava. "Selena" had everything a good movie should have: real characters, strong performances and fully developed relationships. This could have been similar, but the need to sex it up ultimately defeats it.
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Maya Zapata, Martin Sheen, Antonio Banderas, Sonia Braga
Rated R for Violence including a Brutal Rape, Sexuality, Nudity and Language
"Bordertown" is one of those movies that fails to find a balance between a message movie and crowd pleasing entertainment. This is a social issue drama about a topic that needs to be told, but the need to appease those who love action and cheap thrills, it includes unnecessary elements like an out-of-place romance and shocks that belong in a slasher movie.
In 1994, the United States Government signed the North American Trade Agreement with Mexico, allowing products for Americans to be made cheaply just across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This allowed the expansion of maquiladoras (sweatshops), and an influx of women looking for work. It also lead to an increase in violence against women. Estimated death toll is 370+ since 1993 (the film however claims its more than 5000). A reporter, Lauren Adrian (Lopez), takes the story in the hopes that she will become an international reporter. When she gets to Juarez, she finds that there is a survivor of one of these brutal attacks. This frightened young woman, Eva (Zapata) may be the key to stopping it. But there are those who are working behind the scenes to make sure that the story never gets out.
By all accounts, this should make a good movie. Serial killers, conspiracies, sex...all components of a great thriller. The problem is that they're included in a movie that is meant to wake people up. If you want to alert people to a horrible crime or plight, honesty is the best policy. Beefing it up with thriller elements only makes the film cheap and distasteful.
The acting is effective, but not standout. Jennifer Lopez, who can be a great actress when she works at it, is adequate as Lauren, but she mainly relies on her good looks and charisma instead of her talent. This is the third time she has worked for writer/director Gregory Nava (the other films being "My Family" and "Selena"). Mia Zapata is quite good as Eva. She earns our sympathy despite the fact that she has one too many nightmares. Martin Sheen is on hand, but he doesn't have much to do except encourage Lauren. He's really a plot device rather than an actual character. Antonio Banderas is very good as Lauren's old pal as well.
After seeing the wonderful "Selena," I expected more from Nava. "Selena" had everything a good movie should have: real characters, strong performances and fully developed relationships. This could have been similar, but the need to sex it up ultimately defeats it.
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