The Mule

So far, it has been the "Duty" of Independent Films to Tackle the "Hot Button" Issue of Illegal Immigration, so here it is. With a Miniscule Budget and some Good Intentions this Spotty Story of the Horrors that Await these Border Crossers is Assuredly Quite Bleak and Gut-Wrenching.

The Backstory of Sharon Stone's Career as a TV News Reporter is Handled so Sloppily that it is Basically Forgotten for most of the Movie. It Invades Quickly on the most Slimy of Non-Human Entities, that are the Worst Scum and Dirt Bags Imaginable, Border Brutes from Hell.

The Point of the Suffering and Dehumanization of these Folks Trying to make it to a Better Life is Brought Home with some Ugly Violence but Nevertheless the Case is Clearly Made that Things "are not that simple" and the Whole Matter is a Mess and People, including Women and Children are Paying a Heavy Price while most Americans haven't a Clue or Even Worse are Apathetic.

Not a Bad Movie but it is a bit Amateurish and Angles all over the Place, but it does have a Message and it isn't Lost in the Desert Dust, but the Inattention that this Movie has Received is just Another Example of the Story No One Wants to Hear or Tell.

As most of the reviews on this film state, the film has great potential but falls short due to certain performances. Border Run does a great job at depicting just what crossing the border entails for many illegal immigrants.

However, Sharon Stone does not deliver at all. She is both over-dramatic and detached from her character. The acting may actually bring out a chuckle in what is certainly not a comedic movie.

All the blame cannot be put on Stone as it is the director's job to, well, direct the actors' performances. Tagliavini not only misses this mark with Stone but also with the story-line. Certain areas that warrant more time and detail are simply brushed over and some that should be short and to-the-point are dragged out for simple shock value.

It is in my opinion and those who watched it with me: This was a great story line with many twists and surprises, and even a satisfying ending, that was completely ruined by bad acting and even worse directing.

Border Run is a bare-bones, gritty, raw film about a very serious topic. Sharon Stone must have chosen to endure this demanding role to support the film's effort to show the incredibly inhumane treatment of illegal aliens on both sides of the border. It forces the viewer to confront the real human suffering caused by the enforcement of the Mexican/American border and the criminals who take advantage of desperate people. With few words and an emphasis on clear-cut situations, the script is effective without putting its themes into unnecessary comments by the characters. Some of the supporting actors are so immersed in their roles that it is hard to realize they are not actually these unfortunate people. This is one of those real-life stories that plays out like a movie, with twists and turns, but is true nonetheless. It certainly deserves a better overall rating than 4.2.

It is rare that I give up on a movie within 30 minutes but in this case, I was so unimpressed that I did just that. I have enjoyed some Sharon Stone movies in the past, especially her performance in Casino, but I found her acting to be abysmal in this case. As another reviewer pointed out, this may well be in great part due to the direction she was given. I'm not familiar with the work of the director and will likely avoid any of his films in the future. I cannot comment on the story itself as it did not really have a chance to develop in the short time I was able to stand it. I would advise against watching this film unless you are hell bent on keeping track of the lead actor's career which, going by this effort, is heading deep South.

"Thousands try to cross into the US illegally every year. Each person carries a story, this is one of them and I didn't know at the time but this story is also mine." American reporter Sofie (Stone) has just got a big break in the story she is working on. Excited she calls her brother and hears gun shots. Trying to find out what happened leads her to Mexico and a ring of human smuggling and violence. From there things get more and more dangerous, and it's all true. I will start by saying that this was better then I was expecting. While still a B type movie the acting wasn't bad and the movie really made you feel strong emotions. One of them is anger toward the smugglers, the other is anger toward the border guards. To me the movie made me feel mixed emotions. Anger toward the smugglers and anger toward the US policies as well as agreeing with the policies. I wasn't sure who is in the right in this movie and that's what makes a good movie. One that makes you feel something you didn't before. I recommend it for that reason, but the movie itself is just OK. Overall, the emotions you feel make the movie well worth seeing. I say B.