La tragedia de Macario (2005) User Reviews

A terrific and moving film

[cperry-3 · 9/10 · 22 January 2006]

Saw this at Sundance and was really impressed - Pablo Veliz is only 23 and this film, based on his father's experiences entering the US as well as the news clip at the end of the movie, is his first. He builds the life of Macario, his jokes, his loving but exasperated wife, Regina, their poverty, the disaster of losing his job, quite slowly so that by the time he and his friend make their attempt to cross the border, you really care about him. The magical realist elements of the 'visions' of the Virgin Mary worked for me. All the music was excellent, and the VM's singing was just lovely. The film gives a name and a face and a life story to just a couple of would-be immigrants to the US.

What a waste of time..

[sbekam · 3/10 · 22 November 2007]

I bought this movie on DVD thinking that having awarded or nominated for so many awards (shown on cover of the DVD), it must be a good one not knowing that it did not win nor nominated for any (per IMDb)and the writing on the cover is so small that you can't check the source. It is a waste of an hour and a half of your time sitting through a repeat story of a typical struggling South American village family with pregnant wife, sick child, unemployment, corrupted officials, etc. in hope of finding work in U.S. and gambling everything they have to achieve that. The unnecessary long shots, unrelated plots, bad editing, bad camera work and bad acting make this movie one of the worst ones I have seen for quite so long. This is the second disappointing movie from Mexico related to the same issue I have seen recently. The other one is America 101.

Hey I was in this!

[oakman909 · 10/10 · 23 July 2006]

There might be spoilers here ;)

Hey I was in this! I didn't know this would be in IMDb, I play the kid with asthma! Poblo was an excellent director, although there were times when I despised him during shooting, when he made us all get in that cramped hot trailer, But then I've known the guy for a while so I had to do it;) we recently had to re-shoot a scene so I wonder if this is the updated version of the movie.

I'm glad this movie became a hit and went to sun dance. It was also fun lots of fun shooting, even the re-shoot was fun.

Note that I am not 9 like I was in the film, I am 15.

Excellent and moving historical fiction

[janet-f · 10/10 · 27 November 2006]

This movie puts flesh and bones on a dimly remembered news story about the most fatal single incident in the history of Mexican immigration to the U.S. The viewer becomes personally immersed in the gritty details of farm work in Mexico, the hopes and fears of families in great poverty, the distant promise of a better life in the U.S., Catholic faith, police corruption, and even beer-hall gambling.

The musical interludes that fill in the story line are fantastically beautiful and informative. A special bonus is the surreal comforting intervention of the Virgin of Guadalupe, who, however, is helpless to prevent the unfolding tragedy that can be no surprise to anyone who reads the film's title.

The mechanics of the DVD are a bit primitive -- you are given a choice of Spanish or English; if you choose English you get Spanish audio with English subtitles. The subtitles surprisingly whitewash some of the most troubling moments in the Spanish, especially the interactions with the sheriff's deputies.

Very impressive - all heart

[marligotx · 9/10 · 19 March 2009]

This film is a testimony to small independent filmmakers all over the world. With determination, friends, energy and drive (but very little money) good films can make their way to the public. I saw El Tragedia de Macario on Sundance Film Channel, and was mesmerised. Not only is it well-acted, well-executed and heart-breaking, it is obviously a labor of love. The story of dozens of illegal immigrants from Mexico trapped in a container near Victoria, Texas - to die from heat/starvation is TRUE. Applaud to the filmmaker, Pablo Veliz, for documenting the event in this dramatisation. Lastly, this cinematic feat of genius isn't a slick, expensive production, and that's good. In the hands of a big studio and a Spielberg or Rodriguez, it could not pack the same punch.

Tragic and Moving Tale..

[juliano66 · 25 March 2007]

This is a moving,tender film about the hardship and ultimate tragedy of a poor out of work Mexican laborer putting all his eggs in one basket and ultimately losing in his attempt to cross the border to the US to find work. The fact that this was based on a true story makes this all the more poignant--and the film does an effective job of putting a simple human face on the stereotype of the illegal immigrant. Tragedia De Macario addresses the state of oppression that drives people of the land in all parts of the world to flee their desperate conditions and try to make a stab at it somewhere better. The love Macario and his wife, Regina feel for one another is what really drives this film and the visitation of the Virgin Mother in the church and in the train is what ties the whole movie together. I was touched by this moving, sad and all to true tale of hardship and struggle. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a better understanding of the realities of this world.