The Boatman (2015) User Reviews

Build The Wall!!

[wandernn1-81-683274 · 6/10 · 27 April 2020]

Really enjoyed the movie but really I thought the female lead was not good and distracted from the whole thing. A very interesting twist of the story which I really didn't see coming. I spent a lot of the movie wondering where it was filmed, and to see that it was filmed in the dismal part of CA called Lancaster is not a surprise. Anyone who has been there can attest!! All in all not too bad of a watch.

Film didn't show me what it needed to

[M85ALIVE · 2/10 · 23 February 2019]

This movie sells the idea that the Protagonist is the best smuggler in the business. I never experienced viscerally how in detail he did that, and that was a crucial part of my investment in the 1st act, all I saw were boring generic shots of a boat on the river and walking by the bush, and pretty much throughout the film it's the same thing or lack thereof. Show me that he's the best smuggler in the region, I need to experience it, I didn't, this character isn't memorable, impactful because of it, I hoped he was based on the premise and how he talked the talk in certain scenes but I never seen him walk the walk...shame!

Weak...

[Call-Me-Mr-Smith · 2/10 · 14 October 2019]

Not much substance here, formulaic work with inapt delivery in every aspect. Even worse, some camera work and dialogue were irritating. Don't fall for the fake upvoting if you plan to watch it on Prime, you can do better, like watching Bob Ross paint the clouds or something like that...

Timely and believable

[mdr1393503 · 10/10 · 9 May 2017]

Compelling film that, at times, felt like a documentary. Very intense. Oscar Torre's performance is especially riveting. The Latin guitar music fit well for the score! Most of all this film brings to life the struggle facing many immigrants today. Ripped from today's headlines and I can't help but wonder if that will help this film find a wider audience.

If you like thrillers this story is for you.

[maria-morgunova · 10/10 · 8 March 2019]

It is a mystical thriller about a strong man, human smuggling issues and suspenseful story. It is also about current social issues. I like the camera work and editing. I think it is beautiful. The lead actor, Oscar Torre, gives a convincing, excellent performance. The director did a very good job.

Great, meaningful tale

[antoinepana · 9/10 · 16 November 2019]

I thought the story was very well developed and set in a perefectly chosen location. Plus it takes its time to unfold and there is an interesting twist! Those landscapes and all the sets absolutely work in setting the tone and the ambiance. The main character is very deep the actor's interpretation feels real and profonde. A truely broken man. In fact the casting is perfect and the acting is flawless. As a filmmaker I thought the look of the movie was a real success. I loved the color grading which I thought totally matched the story.

Different type of movie. Must see

[johnapplebee-95947 · 9/10 · 8 March 2019]

Invoice glad I came across this movie. With everything going on right now with the border issues, this was great timing. This film is about a man who's really good with getting people across the border to the USA by boat. He develops issues with a drug cartel who. Some into his area creating problems. The movie is slow for a while then it gets good. Things gets really good and the movie takes off from there. Loved the way they ended it. Must see

Relevant and well made

[JGReviews · 10/10 · 31 January 2019]

The Boatman is the story about a coyote named Miguel. He is particularly good at what he does and has a flawless record of getting people across the border. Miguel's life gets a lot more dangerous as a drug cartel moves into his area and exerts their influence. At the same time, a young woman arrives who claims to be his daughter that he never knew about. Bodies start to pile up as the drug cartels try to take control of the area and Miguel tries to survive and confront his past. The Boatman is a tense tale and particularly timely given all of the news about the border these days. The film is also well executed by the filmmakers, especially remembering that this is an independent film. The recurring motif of death surrounding Miguel was a really nice touch and I was particularly impressed by the ending of the film. The soundtrack was also very good and I'm a big fan of the sounds of the hang drum. I would highly recommend this film to anyone.

Really well made indie film!

[Anmer93 · 8/10 · 1 September 2019]

This is a really well made independent feature. It proves that you don't need a huge budget to make a decent film, these filmmakers clearly have vision and passion for the world they are creating. Check this out!

A gem of a film

[craigahrens · 9/10 · 12 November 2019]

This film was such a nice surprise! I watched the trailer and thought why not give it a spin... I'm glad I did. I was very impressed as to this film's quality. I thought the story was terrific and so timely with everything going with human trafficking and the drug cartels. I really liked the lead male actor. I thought he was really good. I enjoyed the rest of cast too, but for me he really stood out. So "The Boatman" gets a thumbs up from me!!

A very timely watch!

[alanakmd · 9/10 · 25 October 2019]

This movie is so poignant with the current political climate in mind. The performances were powerful and the music and cinematography elevated the suspense of this film. I was completely engrossed!

Suspense and Emotion Intersect

[TheAll-SeeingI · 10/10 · 1 February 2019]

In these days of a proposed border wall between The United States and Mexico, Greg Morgan's "The Boatman" couldn't be better contextually situated. Morgan's dramatic yet emotional thriller weaves the tale of the mysterious coyoté Miguel, played with starkness and darkness by Oscar Torre, who manages to offer violence and the promise of deliverance in a singularly taut performance.

It comes to pass that no one's better than this lone coyoté at migrating Mexicans into America, but of course there's an inevitability to that track record that Morgan then leverages with great aplomb. This is no way a brainless action-only film, and our growing emotional stake heightens when Elena - played by Noemi Dunbar - enters Miguel's life as his alleged daughter. It's a great installation of an undercurrent by Morgan which allows us to then make our own alluring investment in the film's progression and outcome.

The biggest of many wins "The Boatman" achieves is the uniqueness of space Morgan carves out for his film, as he somehow melds the tell-it-with-truth flagship indie credo with the alluring elements of the best major studio action films. From its acting to its deliberately chosen methods of cinematography, this is beautifully crafted cinema from the top of the checklist on down.

A definite must-see

[Phil_Chester · 1 February 2019]

A really authentic feel to the world-building in this indie gem. You can almost taste the sand in your mouth while following the characters through dry gulches and arid landscapes. Beautifully haunting soundtrack, lovely to look at and great sound design. Some memorable characters and acting make this a definite must-see.