Border Relations

Author(s): Al
Location: NY

“Border Relations"

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
In Memory of Robert Altman

Principal Cast:

Jeff Holt: John C. Reilly
Matteo Gorcina: Benicio Del Toro
Anita Gorcina: Rosario Dawson
Bob Watson: Jon Voight
Rick Sheldon: Woody Harrelson
Senator Roger Holmes: Chris Cooper
Luis Gorcina: Edward James Olmos
Lisa Holt: Virginia Madsen
Carla Gorcina: Rita Moreno
Alejandro: Luis Guzman

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: For 30 years, Bob Watson has been the sheriff of Ft. Platt, Texas, a close-knit town right near the Mexican-American border. Living alone, he longs for some excitement in his career other than the occasional misdemeanor. He also wants to stop what he thinks is the decay of moral values in America. While watching the news, he becomes convinced that illegal immigration is what's wrong with the country. He immediately announces an initiative to build a giant electric fence along their area of the border, and root out any existing illegal immigrants in the area. He gains the support of most of the town's residents, including Rick Sheldon, a hard-right conservative hunting fanatic. The plan continues, and even attracts the attention of backhanded Texas Senator Holmes who makes a goodwill P.R. appearance in the town to highlight the "fine work" that Bob is doing. Jeff, a liberal and soft-spoken friend of Rick and Bob's, has been hiring illegal immigrants secretly, believing that everyone has the chance at the American dream. When the plan is announced, Jeff fights the law quietly and makes sure his employees are safe.

However, the real trouble with the initiative comes from siblings Matteo and Anita Gorcina. They are illegal Mexican immigrants who have been working tirelessly for Jeff in order to raise enough money to bring the rest of their family into the country legally. In addition, their mother Carla is deathly ill and requires serious medical attention that their broken-down local hospital won't be able to provide. Her husband Luis needs to bring her over the border immediately, legal or not. Alejandro, one of their co-workers at Jeff's factory and a fellow illegal immigrant, rats out Matteo and Anita to Bob in exchange for amnesty. With the help of Jeff and his lawyer wife Lisa, the Gorcina siblings challenge the law, hoping to get a sanction for their mother to enter the country. As the case gains traction and eventually advances to the Supreme Court, all the citizens of Ft. Platt must examine themselves, their beliefs… and whether what they did for a chance at the American Dream was worth it.

What the press would say:

Our country is so divided these days over so many issues. War or peace? Red or blue? Free or not? The list goes on. Movies, however, have always been able to bring us together and help us see the other side's point of view for the first time, and our own in a new light. Hollywood never is afraid to show their colors and discuss serious issues. And now we have "Border Relations", a sensitive drama helmed by up-and-comer Paul Thomas Anderson. Its multilanguage, border-crossing story emphasizes the similarities between the Mexicans and the Americans; the same values, and the same dream. Whether the American Dream still exists or can exist is a recurring theme in the film, but there still is a bit of sentimentality within it. On the other hand, the film at times seeps into darkness and bleakness, while still retaining a spark of hope. It's no wonder this film is dedicated to Robert Altman: his sweeping ensemble style, witty dialogue, and belief that we are all interconnected in some way shines through in his student Anderson's film. The screenplay is clever and multi-layered, and shows us both sides of the story sympathetically. However much we may hate the point of view of characters like Bob Watson, we still understand his rationale, and maybe even feel sorry for him. It challenges every perception we have about immigration, and makes us reconsider our own beliefs. Only the best films can do that.

An ensemble film is nothing without, well, a great ensemble, and "Border Relations" delivers on that. Woody Harrelson is great as a racist denizen of the town, Luis Guzman is perfectly conflicted as a spy for the police, and Chris Cooper is very sleazy as a shifty senator. Benicio Del Toro is also deeply moving as Matteo Gorcina, one of the film's protagonists who will do anything for his family. Oscar-winning veteran actress Rita Moreno is heartbreaking as the dying Carla, conveying so many emotions across her face while also making you believe that she is deathly ill. John C. Reilly gives a very interesting performance as the conflicted Jeff. He delivers his lines with so much passion you listen hard to every word that he is saying. While his character is very earnest and shy for most of the movie, he explodes with emotion in later scenes. We have never seen Reilly act like this, with such emotion and heart. However, I would say the standout is Rosario Dawson. After taking second-banana roles for years and being all but condemned to always playing a hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold, she breaks out in this movie. She drops all vanity and sexiness for this role, and it shows. Opening herself up to the audience, she shows us her every emotion and doesn't even need to speak-a quivering lip, a darkening eye, a pursing lip all portray a thousand words. Her best scenes come when she breaks down under all her stress because Anita is quite the burdened character-even having to resort to stripping for money, we see emotion welling up under her surface until she absolutely bursts. I would go so far as to say this performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination, and perhaps a win.

"Border Relations" is a heartfelt and thought-provoking film that portrays a hugely controversial political issue without losing sight of the human side of the equation. Paul Thomas Anderson is a perfect directorial choice for the film, and all the pieces seem to fit together perfectly. It may not be one of the greatest films of all time, but it's extremely significant-and I'm sure will be for years to come.

Best Picture-AMPAS
Best Picture (Drama)-HFPA
Best Ensemble-SAG
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor: John C. Reilly
Best Actor: Benicio Del Toro
Best Supporting Actor: Jon Voight
Best Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper
Best Supporting Actor: Luis Guzman
Best Supporting Actress: Rosario Dawson
Best Supporting Actress: Rita Moreno