Alamo Bay

I lived in the Rockport-Fulton area, where parts of the movie was filmed, most of my life. I remember when the Vietnamese people began moving into the area, and the problems they had with some of the local citizens. This movie was pretty accurate about the feelings of some of the shrimpers, I am sorry to say. Ed Harris did a wonderful job of portraying the racist shrimper. He reminds me of a few people I knew in the area. Amy Madigan was also great portraying his former girlfriend. She had some tough decisions to make. This is a good movie with interesting characters and great acting. I think that the relationship between some of the Texas shrimpers and the Vietnamese shrimpers is portrayed pretty realistically.

An interesting conflict put to screen that depicts many racist echos that still reverberate in modern times.

Being a product of the 80s, it's hard for me to be sure what message this was trying to send back then. Now, it seems like it makes efforts to shine a light on the injustice dealt to Vietnamese refugees looking to make a new life. Whether or not it's done well is up for debate. Personally, there needed to be even stronger characterization for Dinh and other Vietnamese characters for this goal to succeed. Glory is probably the best character in the story in terms of development and being fleshed out. I kept waiting for something deeper to happen to Shang's (Ed Harris) development, but that doesn't come.

I'm not sure this story could have done it, but it's only natural for me to want to see some of these characters begin to come out of their deep seeded racism. In the end, one racist leader is killed, but what is stopping the next one from rising without the obstacle of loving Glory in their way? Because of this-being that there is no systemic change within the white community aside from plunging into further racism-it's hard for me to read the final statement about the perseverance of Vietnamese gulf coast workers without feeling like the path was made more dangerous for that fact to be true.

And maybe that's the point. But I'm not sure. As it stands, I appreciated the slice of life aspects the film brings, the unveiling of Shang's plan to bring in the Klan was intimidating if not shocking, and Glory, who felt like a pretty great character all of the time.

Edit: just learned that Amy Madigan (Glory) is actually married to Ed Harris (Shang) which is such a cool fact to learn after watching this.

WATCHED ON: Tubi

HIGHER OR LOWER: Higher.

This story of attacks on Vietnamese immigrants on the Texas coast was loosely based on real events from 1979-81. Shang Pierce (Ed Harris) is a Vietnam vet who hates all non-white people and gets particularly riled when Southeast Asian immigrants begin arriving in his town, and especially when one of them develops a relationship with his girlfriend, Glory (Amy Madigan). The situation gets tenser and tenser as the movie progresses.

Maybe "Alamo Bay" is not the greatest movie ever, but it certainly shows a part of Texas history (and indeed, US history) that unfortunately seems forgotten. Ed Harris looks like a typical redneck, with a short, wispy beard. It is the sort of movie that you should check out if you get a chance.

This film, like its director, was years ahead of its time. Before Mississippi Burning, Cry Freedom, and Rosewood solidified the cliches of the racism genre, Louis Malle delivered this authentic, effortless look at Vietnamese fisherman working off the gulf coast of Texas. No house burnings and lynchings need apply. Malle and his writer Alice Arlen pay such close attention to detail that the film pants with life in the hot Texas sun. The actors scarcely seem to be acting at all. It takes skill and courage to film an incendiary subject like this won with a level head and a compassion for all involved. Despite its route cinematic ending, this film's catch is bountiful.

Really glad I clicked on this from Amazon Prime. First time seeing it, and I was a movie watcher in 1985.

Luis Malle is a genius with camera placement and telling a story visually. The script is fine, not a gangbuster. The story is told in atmosphere, setting, and great shots.

The plot naturally develops a female hero, nothing fake or contrived.

The acting is fantastic. Luis M. Shot Ed Harris' piercing blue eyes, every chance he could get. Ed H as Shane is 300% convincing as a red-neck vet,his character is conflicted, but in the end understandable.

Is this film downgraded because there are no clear heroes?

More people should watch and review this fine film. It is better than 95% of what is pumped out of Hollywood as "product".