Ciudad del silencio

BORDERTOWN is more than a suspenseful film about a tragic reality that has been terrifying Juarez, Mexico for years. This film, written and directed by Gregory Nava ('Mi Familia', 'El Norte', 'Selena', etc), approaches a public service campaign on the part of Nava and the rest of his cast and crew - especially producer/star Jennifer Lopez. After the stunning effect of the film, the viewer is encouraged to watch the several excellent featurettes on the DVD - and then try to remain uninvolved.

Chicago Sentinel editor George Morgan (Martin Sheen) convinces the reluctant reporter Lauren Adrian (Jennifer Lopez) to fly to Juarez, Mexico to cover a combustible story about the ongoing rapes and murders of women who work the factories along the border for little pay. Lauren would prefer becoming a foreign correspondent and extracts a promise that if she takes on this ugly assignment ('I don't speak Spanish and I don't know anything about Mexico'), Morgan will grant that request. When the beautiful blond Lauren arrives in Juarez she is shocked by the reality: a very young factory worker girl Eva (the fine young actress Maya Zapata) has managed to survive a rape and attempted murder, literally climbing out of her grave and escaping. Lauren and Eva bond and Lauren realizes that her story about the 5000 victims of this heinous serial killing may just rest with the information Eva holds: she can identify her assailants. With the aid of anxious newspaper owner Alfonso Diaz (Antonio Banderas) the three begin the dangerous struggle to unveil the truths about the cover-up of the deaths: the police and government corruption in Mexico are matched by similar deeds in the USA in order to protect the NAFTA arrangement which apparently holds the profit of the mega-factories of more importance then the mere lives of thousands of Mexican women. How the trio infiltrates the corruption (and the buried secret realities of Lauren's humble beginnings) provide the remainder of the film.

Nava elects to shoot this film in garish light and emphasizes the tragic filth and mire of the living conditions of the peasants along the border - each hoping to escape the life situations by crossing into the US. He manages to maintain a coarse cinematic effect that enhances the story. Not only Is Lopez in top form, but also she is assisted by a fine cast of fellow actors including Sonia Braga, Juan Diego Botto, Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez, Rene Rivera among others. Yes, the story has been told before, but that only means there are many people who want this contemporary tragedy to end. In one of the features on the DVD we are given addresses and names to contact to help stop this horrendous 'feminicide'. Take serious note. Grady Harp

"It isn't free trade; it's slave trade; it's a ... scam", yells investigative reporter Lauren Adrian (Jennifer Lopez), to her newspaper boss George Morgan (Martin Sheen). They're arguing about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the villain in this film about the injustices of NAFTA border factories toward their women workers, and in particular about the border town of Juarez, on the Rio Grande, across from El Paso, Texas.

The script's characters and plot are fictional. But they are set against a backdrop of a real-life situation that has been going on for years. Poorly paid young Mexican women are raped and killed in these NAFTA border towns. Nobody really cares, least of all the cold corporations that employ the women.

In "Bordertown", George Morgan sends Lauren to Juarez to get a story. She does. But what she finds is that the real killers are more powerful and shadowy than she imagined. It's a situation not unlike what Karen Silkwood faced when she tried to investigate a nuclear plant.

The film is thus highly political. Its message overpowers the story. Most viewers will sympathize with the message. But what about the story? The characters are not entirely believable. For example, the young Mexican woman whom Lauren befriends can't seem to speak English when they first meet. And Lauren says she can't speak Spanish. Yet later, the young woman and Lauren chat up a storm both in English and Spanish, a dialogue necessity, no doubt, to placate viewers. The plot's climax is Hollywood sensationalized, which detracts from the authenticity of the message.

Color cinematography is very high contrast, which works well, given the good vs. evil theme. Prod design and costumes are quite realistic. The filming in Mexico gives credibility to the story, though filming entirely in Juarez was not possible owing to the physical danger. Acting is acceptable. Lopez does a fine job.

My impression is that "Bordertown" was not given a proper theatrical release here in the U.S. because of its tough political message, which speaks volumes, if true. But despite some imperfections in its script, the film deserves to be seen by viewers, and specifically because of that potent underlying message.

The story talks about Lauren(Jennifer López), an obstinate reporter working in Chicago Sentinel. She's assigned by her chief(Marin Sheen) going to a Mexican Bordertown, where in location of Juarez occur a series of killings when the workers are forced displacement. Eva(Zapata)is cruelly raped and with the help of Lauren and a Mexican journalist(Antonio Banderas) investigate the events. Eva is being protected by Mexican owner (Sonia Braga) but she flees and is caught by the border policemen when has to testify against the rapist. Meanwhile in order to discover the deeds Lauren is working in a Juarez factory where the workers are tired of being nothing more than manual laborers . Lauren gains trust of local factory proprietary(Juan Diego Botto).

Although this movie is fictional, at times it feels like a documentary. The story blends suspense, intrigue, violence and political denounce. Also deals the hardships work told in graphic detail, recounting a relentless criticism to NAFTA(North American free trade) organization . This is a dramatic and serious movie where the starring- well performed by Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas- encounter in the midst of deep struggle oppressive forces outside their control, as they confront against nasty killers and corrupt people. Evocative musical score by Graeme Revell and colorful cinematography by Reynaldo Villalobos. The film was nominated for Golden Berlin Award. The motion picture is expertly directed by Gregory Nava. He's a specialist on Mexican thematic, such as 'Selena, A time of destiny, My Family', and his best movie: 'The North. This film will make you think twice about the product buy or make you food for the reason of long hours in jobs and low wages.

Its hard to comment on some "true story" movies! This story...true story...it's so shocking and scary and really makes you ask yourself "in what kind of world we are living?".... and that's a good part! It will scares you but it will show you some real life tragedy that happened and that will happen... and it could happen to anyone! You should be aware! So this is really shocking tragedy about brutal life of females on Mexican/USA boarder! And its true!!!

So after getting me shocked its really hard to comment on acting, scenes, etc. But I must do that because this is no documentary! And from movie aspect... well... it's not that much! I must admit that Jeniffer Lopez is much better actress than on her first movies but everyone else.... Antonio Banderas has just a short role, nothing special and other actors are not some famous... at least not to me! They are good but....

This movie is not for an award but I recommend you to watch it, because it's a true story and it shows hard living, bad politics, corruption, trying to stay alive and you are on your own.......

(sorry on my bad English)

I was conflicted about this film. The motivations behind it are clearly important and some of the acting is really good. That's sort of all the positive things I can say.

I'm not sure which is responsible, the directing or the editing but its definitely not a polished or accomplished effort. There's no character build up, they make very little use of Michael Sheen, the filming is a little odd and even her hair is weird. She does some sort of visual transformation which just ends up being clunky and distracting. The romantic connection is awkward and unbelievable.

Shame really considering the cast and initial idea.