I recently attended the Arizona International Film Festival and had a chance to catch this delightful film.
America 101 follows two brothers from Mexico and their quest to find the elusive 'American Dream'. With home life too boring for the younger brother Angel, he hatches a plan to head for America where he thinks he'll find mountains of money and he believes his accent will get him laid. The older, wiser brother hints that Angel has tried it before and failed miserably. Things change when Carlos overhears his parents talk about their business closing and decides to go with his younger brother in the hopes of helping the family. This is when the real laughs start. Their adventure brings them in contact with lots of really interesting characters and one uncomfortably warm water cooler. Though there are lots of laughs, the underlying seriousness of the dangers of border crossings is never lost. A real feat unto itself.
I almost immediately connected with the brothers, Angel and Carlos. I am sure we will see more from these two in the future. The rest of the cast made the most of their roles and many of them from the Big Chief to the twin restaurant managers, are very memorable.
If given a chance this film could do well theatrically, especially along the border country. I thoroughly recommend this film and look forward to more from this director.
