Casa de Los Babys (2003) is another exceptional film from writer/director John Sayles. Seven extraordinary actors interact in a natural and realistic fashion: Daryl Hannah,
Lili Taylor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Marcia Gay Harden, Mary
Steenburgen, Susan Lynch, and Rita Moreno. The first six are mothers waiting in a Latin American country for children
they plan to adopt. Ms. Moreno plays the owner of the hotel
at which the women live. Vanessa Martinez--an extremely
talented young actor--plays a maid at the hotel who is trying to support two younger siblings on her meager salary.
Not only does the movie provide a picture of the lives
of these women, but we also are shown local people whose
lives are more desperate than the North Americans--three
homeless boys, the hotel owner's revolutionary--but lazy-- son, and an educated man who is looking for work--any work
that will allow him to support his family.
Sayles is a genius, and he is able to make the life of every character dramatically and emotionally meaningful. This movie has neither violent action nor a melodramatic ending. Instead, the film is so finely crafted that every scene proves an emotional climax in its own way.
Casa de Los Babys will surely be considered one of the finest independent films of 2003. Don't miss it!
Lili Taylor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Marcia Gay Harden, Mary
Steenburgen, Susan Lynch, and Rita Moreno. The first six are mothers waiting in a Latin American country for children
they plan to adopt. Ms. Moreno plays the owner of the hotel
at which the women live. Vanessa Martinez--an extremely
talented young actor--plays a maid at the hotel who is trying to support two younger siblings on her meager salary.
Not only does the movie provide a picture of the lives
of these women, but we also are shown local people whose
lives are more desperate than the North Americans--three
homeless boys, the hotel owner's revolutionary--but lazy-- son, and an educated man who is looking for work--any work
that will allow him to support his family.
Sayles is a genius, and he is able to make the life of every character dramatically and emotionally meaningful. This movie has neither violent action nor a melodramatic ending. Instead, the film is so finely crafted that every scene proves an emotional climax in its own way.
Casa de Los Babys will surely be considered one of the finest independent films of 2003. Don't miss it!