Los jornaleros (2003) User Reviews

Possibly the worst movie I have ever seen

[kinolieber · 1/10 · 8 June 2005]

I was forced to remain in the theater til the bitter end of this fiasco because I was with someone who could not leave the screening without embarrassing himself. Otherwise I would have fled after a half hour or so. Never have I witnessed such a uniformity of cliché, bad acting, awkwardly staged scenes, and painfully bad writing. It occurred to me that every shot resembled something out of a TV commercial. I cringed often at the condescending dialog, at the self conscious acting, at the cornball sentimentality.

When all was said and done, however, I had to grant the film one genuine distinction: the gay sub-plot, for all its embarrassing clichés, at least includes some growth in the attitudes of the gay character and his homophobic siblings. For an audience that sees this film and is able to ignore its awfulness, it offers this bit of progressive humanity. Other than that, prospective viewers are warned "Run for the hills!".

Definitely a MUST SEE movie

[jfilm-2 · 10/10 · 31 March 2006]

Wow! - haven't seen a movie this good in a very long time. I was completely blown away. The film was recommended to me by a friend who had said she had seen it at a screening at the Egyptian in Hollywood a while back and that at that screening they said that it was made in only 15 days for less than $100,000 dollars. This usually tells me not to see something... But since I usually agree with her when she says she likes or dislikes something I thought "what the heck" and rented it. Boy, am I glad I did. What an amazing film.

I really loved these characters. The acting was out of this world because I felt that I got to know each of them during all of the troubles they had. They seemed real to me. In fact, the whole movie seemed real to me so I guess that is a good director too. I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a film (so much crap comes out these days.) If you can find this gem, rent it, rent it, rent it!

Embarrassing when interesting topics are used to make trash like this

[amelchor-stu · 4/10 · 16 November 2005]

Adapting to a new country and culture could make for a very interesting film but this film is simply trash. Everything happens but there is no transition between things happening. One of the brothers suddenly realizes he's gay? Just out of nowhere. The acting is horrible as well. Facial expressions that are supposed to be of distress or panic look like constipation. Drunk scenes are made too look as if the actors are mimicking drunks. This movie is awful and should be removed. One thing, This may be something difficult to understand but the actors look hispanic but not Mexican if that makes any sense at all. I mean not even like they're from Latin America.

A happy ending to a sad reality

[philip1983 · 10/10 · 1 March 2004]

Mexico meets the United States in this gritty and sad, yet ultimately fulfilling story about daily Mexican workers in California. The brothers each have stories of hard work, drug dealing, prostitution and the happiest one in the end has a gay wedding.

The most wonderful aspect of seeing this film is that it is not a parody, a comedy, farcical or unrealistic. It does give a cinematic yet accurate portrayal of the issues facing immigrant Latin Americans and especially Mexicans. The relationships enable you to share the Mexican joyfulness, family and sorrows while they discover America and begin to translate their values. A MUST-SEE for anyone interested in these modern-day events and intercultural relations in any way. Most of all, it was an enjoyable movie.

Only worth it for the unintended laughs

[Krasnoludek · 4/10 · 24 June 2008]

Boy, is this a terribly acted and terribly written movie. The overarching plot line is pretty decent, however each individual scene plays out in an unintentionally ridiculous manner. The only reaction you could have is to turn off the movie or laugh at their pathetic effort. I tried twice to watch this movie with friends, but both times they asked me to shut it off after five minutes, when the three cousins steal a guy's camera and run off yelling "eepa! eepa!". I ended up watching this movie alone a few nights later. At least scenes like that keep you entertained, but this movie's not worth the rental if you're looking for something worthwhile.

I disagree with the commenter who rated this movie a ten because it broke with the typical machismo and homophobia you see in Latin cinema. While that effort is admirable, the movie should at least be done fairly well before it's commended for being groundbreaking. Otherwise it does more harm than good. If you'd like to see a movie that does a far better treatment of those cultural barriers, I'd instead recommend "Quinceanera".

A great many good things in a very little film

[sonysnd · 10/10 · 4 April 2006]

Never expected to write a review about a film here, especially not one I had never heard of before renting it. It also takes a lot to impress me. But let me tell you, for a very small film, this one has it all.

Where to start? Well, the unknown actors were better than many of the A-list stars I drag out $8-$10 dollars to see every weekend. They were real, honest portrayals that touched me and made me believe in their humanity. And their strong sense of "family" was true and easy to identify with. The director is a gifted storyteller, with an ability to place the audience in the minds of the characters and let you "feel" right along with them. Production design was good, which I always find unusual for a film of this size. Even the music was first-rate. In fact, John Williams could take lessons from this guy on when to play music and when to have silence. There was a perfect blend here, which added to scenes but didn't overshadow them. I was continuously impressed by this film while viewing it and am surprised that you can still find stuff this good out there to watch.

What else can I say but to encourage you people not to miss this little gem. And RUN, don't walk, to the video store. Trust me on this one.

Heartwarming, touching, a real gem

[callmeauntmoo · 10/10 · 31 March 2006]

The movie has heart and soul, which you can't say about a lot of movies these days. It's a small film with a big message. It's the story of a group of day laborers in Los Angeles. Working and living in Los Angeles, I see these men standing in the 7-11 parking lots and I wonder what their lives are like. This movie helps you understand what they go through. Acted well, directed beautifully. I have the DVD of the movie and I recommend it to anyone with a heart and a willingness to look outside of themselves. It won a bunch of awards at film festivals, all of which are greatly deserved. I urge you not only to see the movie, but to encourage others to see it as well.

Fantastic Film!!! Recommended it to all of my friends!

[flmpro · 10/10 · 30 March 2006]

What a TERRIFIC film - why doesn't Hollywood put out movies of this high caliber?? I was engaged from the first frame to the last. The performances really drew me in. In fact, by the end I felt like I knew these three guys. This movie is an excellent portrayal of these workers and better yet, it doesn't judge them, just shows what types of things they struggle through. I don't know why anyone would think this cliché. The things they go through are recognizable but that's what makes it so very real.

I think the direction was first-rate, pacing really moved and I also thought the music was exceptional and really added to the mood of the piece. I have recommended it to all of my friends, though it is sometimes hard to find at blockbuster. I can't rave enough and hope that they make a sequel!

Brilliant movie, offering insights into the lives of day laborers

[pyotr-3 · 10/10 · 17 September 2006]

BRILLIANT movie. On every level, this film is wonderful.

I learned a great deal about the lives of day laborers seeing this film, and I will definitely never pass by a group of Latin American men waiting for someone to hire them for day work the same way again. The insight this film offers into their lives is wonderful and fascinating, and far more complex than I think most of us would imagine.

The acting is superb. The entire cast was perfect. And the main 4 actors give Oscar-worthy performances. Each of them deserves enormous credit for showing us these characters with such believability, making us understand them and come to love them.

I wish there was a way to allow more people to see this movie, because it is important on so many levels.

A rare show of Hispanic gay acceptance

[EdouardBMesert · 10/10 · 5 June 2006]

In Hispanic cinema, there are very rarely a positive gay image. Only Aldomovar has created pro-gay cinema. Even a straight man will do anything for Aldomovar. He will make them a star! A straight man will play a drag queen for Aldomovar. We need to support Hispanic cinema that is Gay Positive!

This was not Great writing, directing, acting, etc. I still give it a 10 because they broke new ground. It is entertaining, it also tells an important story. Can a Hispanic family ultimately accept a gay son? Can a Catholic Hispanic really love and accept a GLBT family member? Machismo is so widespread. We need more movies like this one.

Bravo for this movie, I had not heard about it, it was on LOGO! Thank God for LOGO TV Edouard B Mesert

A very good movie.

[arlene-42 · 9/10 · 14 February 2007]

Seeing this movie was a real treat. For one, it is well crafted and has a lot of heart. I saw it at a festival and came out really caring about the characters. And the movie asks a great question: What is the American dream, really? What will you do to go after it, and how will that change you? The director did a great job in telling the heartfelt story of these three brothers. The actors do a great job, and Ricardo Molina shines with star quality. The writer Jose Ramon Nevarez has a role in it too (he's the cool dude with the long white hair). Interesting to see him in his own work. And hey, with so much talk about borders, to say this is a timely film is an understatement. I've seen the DVD out there somewhere. Try to find this one and see it.

Good or bad, but they need to talk about it.

[pv61 · 8 October 2013]

Someone thought this was a good idea and everybody else made their best effort.

Good or bad, the movie had (well, the writer and director had) something to tell and did it.

The only things that jumped, for me, was that they missed some of the mistreatment laborers from corners or Home depot often receive(d), like being dumped far away without being paid, or forcing them or raping them when they didn't want to agree to some other sexual things from gay bosses.

Then, once in the house and all of them working one way or another, five people, two with regular jobs, couldn't sustain the hose and bills.

In México all of them ''spoke only Spanish'' and here, thanks to their uncle, speak English not only outside, but also inside the house, where they suppose to speak in Spanish because is their mother language. I didn't feel that like a natural thing to do. The rest is OK and I appreciate the effort.