Bordertown

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.

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.

It was sad to me when people on this site asked if Gandhi was a fictional character, when they thought Judi Dench in "Ladies in Lavender" came off as a "dirty old lady," when they thought Kenny O'Donnell in "Thirteen Days" was a fictional character to give Kevin Costner a part when the film used White House transcripts (I guess they just stuck Kenny's dialogue into transcripts?) - it was sad.

But to laugh and give a negative review to a movie that tells an important story, whether or not it stars Jennifer Lopez, is awful and shows that there are people who are regulars on this board who are not just stupid. They're complete morons.

This is based on a true story about murders of young women that have been taking place in Juarez, Mexico for years, with a large number of women have been raped and murdered or simply disappeared. The women work in the maquiladoras, 24/7 companies that employ cheap labor, usually women, and create disposable products. Apparently the women are disposable too. The women are normally attacked as they are going home.

Jennifer Lopez plays a reporter who is assigned this story against her will but becomes involved in it, protecting a young woman who dug herself out of her own grave, and going undercover in a maquiladora herself to uncover one of the murderers.

This horrible situation is not dealt with efficiently by the government or the police. In part, this is due to political pressure and the fact that mob and drug money is often involved in the ownership of the factories.

The North American Free Trade agreement, NAFTA, was expanded in 1994 and provided new opportunities for the maquiladoras.

This was an issue director Gregory Nava wanted to explore, and Jennifer Lopez, Martin Sheen, and Antonio Banderas signed on. Because of the R rating and the opinion of several focus groups, it was not released in theaters.

It's not a great movie. As a TV movie, it would have been much better. It also doesn't look very expensive. I don't happen to think Jennifer Lopez is a horrible actress. Unlike some here, I thought her back story, shown in flashback, was very clear.

This is an important story, made by sincere people. One can at least appreciate that they wanted to raise awareness of this issue. It's easy to sit and criticize a film; it's another to go out and make one.

And maybe a few people will think about a rich country like Mexico - rich in minerals, tourism, manufacturing -- that pays people $3 to $5 a day and has a population that lives in poverty while the people that control the money send it out of the country. Is it any wonder they try to sneak into the U.S.? Anything is better than how they are forced to live. And nothing is done to help them. Nothing.

After hearing this movie would not be released on the big screen I had doubts about whether I wanted to see it. I'm glad my curiosity won out over the bad press. This movie was compelling, suspenseful, and well acted. J-lo is believable in her role and gives an impressive performance.

I was uncomfortable through nearly the entire movie; one of the marks of an excellent suspense/drama. The importance of the topic of this movie should be enough to encourage people to see it but it is not for the faint of heart. Put the kids to bed early before starting the movie!!

Reading the negative reviews of this movie was kind of shocking, really. This heartbreaking story was one that needed to be told, and with all the meaningless crap that is peddled out of Hollywood, this was like a breath of fresh air. Perhaps "Bordertown" won't get 10 Oscar nominations or whatever, but I enjoyed watching Jennifer Lopez unravel the mystery of what happened to Eva, the young girl attacked, left for dead, and miraculously survived. I thought the performances were courageous and not overdone, and the direction and cinematography was great. The price we pay in our humanity to get lower prices on electronics and other goods, and to line the pockets of corruption wherever it is found, is much too high. I wish more movies like "Bordertown" were being made...it is quite sad to me that movies like this (also Erin Brokovich, North Country, Silkwood, as well as others) go straight to DVD and so many other movies with no message, just a grandiose budget and special effects, are more important than those with something to say.