A young Mexican woman is smuggled into the US, and stays with her sister's family. She gets a job as an office cleaner, where she meets two very different men: one is a union activist, the other a cleaner who wants to be a lawyer. We follow her progress as she is torn between the two, while at the same time becoming involved in industrial action at her workplace. The film also provides social commentary on the hardships faced by illegal aliens, as well as a brief glimpse at the hidden agenda of the trade union movement.
110 minutes, No persons under 16 (Language)
Drama, Romance, On the Art Circuit
Pilar Padilla, Adrien Brody, Elpidia Carrillo, Jack McGee, George Lopez, Alonso Chavez, Monica Rivas, Frankie Davila
Director
Ken Loach
Screenplay
Paul Laverty
Music
George Fenton
Cinematography
Barry Ackroyd
Sound formats
Dolby Digital
Soundtrack
Available
Made in
2000
Produced by
A group of 17 Companies
Ratings
Scale (Max)
20
South African Media
The MoviesiteIan Douglas
8
Cape ArgusOwen Williams
15
The StarJanine Walker
14
Die BurgerHerman Wasserman
15
Sunday TimesBarry Ronge
10
International Media
Box Office (USA)Lael Loewenstein
10
Total Film (UK)Tom Dawson
10
Film Review (UK)James Mottram
15
Internet (IMDB)44 Netizens
15
Average .. 62%
12
Visitor Comments
Ian Douglas: The film certainly has some relevence for SA, as we have the same problems with illegal immigrants and unions causing civil chaos to get their way. I would have liked more coverage of the hidden union game plan, which was only alluded to in one brief scene. The film also hilights how illegals are often forced into the sex trade as the only way to earn money.
