The Mexican Dream

i really enjoyed the movie.

it contained sorrow, pain, love, success, a little bit of humor, etc all within the short time span of the movie.

it incorporates the Mexican traditional story of the "crying woman" and does a good job in interlacing it with the success story of the main character in the movie.

i was lucky enough to meet some of the people that worked on the movie. one was the director of photography and i really thought he did a great job in showing the movie in certain aspects.

there's a cartoon part in the beginning where they introduce the movie and i thought it was pretty good. the cartoon does a good job in somewhat summarizing the movie.

i recommend teachers to show this movie to their students because the movie time length is just right and the content good enough!

I definitely give this movie two thumbs up! I like the humor that is used in the movie (although the subtitles used definitely don't do the movie any justice). I also liked how the story of La Llorona was tied into movie. I remembered learning about the story of La Llorona a couple years ago and the importance that the story plays in Mexican culture. It's seems like a great way to make this movie seem more realistic.

Once again, I thought it was a great movie and I liked how the issue of immigration was presented through Ajileo's determination to cross the border and make it "big" in the city. =)

Even though I didn't really understand the point that the film was trying to make, I still recognize that the film is moving and shows great promise and talent. Also, a caveat: just because I was not able to grasp the concept/theme of the movie, that in no way detracts from the clarity of the movie itself, since I think it may just be "me" that prevents me from truly understanding the film. The animation was fun and the cinematography was beautiful, and I enjoyed "The Mexican Dream" despite its not being my usual movie fare. At various points throughout my viewing of it I thought someone was going to be shot or something dangerous and violent was going to occur, but the film surprised me in being moving without having to resort to themes of violence or sex. I was touched by the adoring family that Ajileo left behind, and also felt pity for him, since he felt he had to basically lie to his family about how he was actually doing in America. Additionally, "The Mexican Dream" draws up intriguing contrasts and comparisons to the famed American dream, and poses questions about what it means to be Mexican and hopeful in the United States.

The Mexican Dream is an interesting film because it addresses the controversial issue of illegal Mexican immigration. Americans often only think of the negative effects immigration, such as filling job positions and burdening on American society. It is important that we pause and think Mexicans' point of view, and the difficult lives they lead in both Mexico and once they've reached the U.S. as well. The creators of this film cleverly tackle this sensitive issue by making a comedy. I enjoyed the cartoon at the beginning of the movie as well as the split screen telling two stories. However, the acting was mediocre and the plot amusing, but unrealistic.

Director Milos Forman once said that "Everyone is from two countries: their own and the United States." It's no surprise that people the world over identify with the American Dream, seeing as the global pop culture machine reproduces images of an ideal America. In this celluloid utopia, few problems exist, wealth abounds and life is easy.

In The Mexican Dream, Hernandez contrasts Ajileo's dreams of life on the other side with the reality of being an immigrant. This opposition finds expression throughout, but perhaps most eloquently in an extended sequence early in the film. The image shifts to a top/bottom split screen, the top showing Hollywood Boulevard and the bottom Ajileo and the coyote still in Mexico. On top, a disappointed Ajileo scans the famous names on the Hollywood Stars. At bottom, Ajileo asks the coyote about getting acting roles in Hollywood to which the latter responds: "The only role you are going to play is... The Super Washing Man! You are gonna be washing cars, washing dishes, washing gringos' asses!"

As his calling card, The Mexican Dream tells us a lot about what kinds of movies Hernandez would like to make. His short has humor and charm, a good story and a social critique to boot. But you'll never confuse The Mexican Dream with art cinema. Hernandez wants to make movies that matter, but that appeal to large numbers of people. His vision doesn't run counter to Hollywood's, but instead speaks to the best things in it.

Rather than shun entertainment value, he embraces it, but adds that making audiences reflect on his work makes it more worthwhile. As entertainment and food for thought, The Mexican Dream makes a mighty good start.