A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while traveling across town to perform landscaping work for the city's wealthy landowners.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 9 nominations.
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
Personalizes the illegal immigrant experience and digs much deeper into what has become a national disgrace.
– Greg Quill,
Toronto Star,
15 Jul 2011
fresh:
Bichir redeems the secondhand plot and on-the-nose dialogue.
– Colin Covert,
Minneapolis Star Tribune,
15 Jul 2011
fresh:
The people here seem real, their world is shaky at best, and the political tension that permeates everything in this film feels palpable.
– Tom Long,
Detroit News,
15 Jul 2011
fresh:
Bichir delivers a powerful, nuanced performance as a stoic but complex character who treats everyone -- even those who have wronged him -- with a dignity he rarely receives.
– Jennie Punter,
Globe and Mail,
15 Jul 2011
fresh:
The didacticism takes the shine off Weitz's accomplishment, even if the film builds up enough empathy to generate slow-burning emotional impact.