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Bread and Roses 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Ken Loach
R, 110 min. (strong language, brief nudity) |
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Starring: Pilar Padilla, Adrien Brody, Elpidia Carrillo, Jack McGee, George Lopez, Alonso Chavez, Monica Rivas, F. Davila
Producer: Rebecca O'Brien
Screenplay: Paul Laverty
Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd
Distributor: Lions Gate Films
Released: 5.18.01 (Limited)
(In Spanish with subtitles) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Bread and Roses is an average film that is elevated to another level by an astonishing, gut-wrenching
scene near the end of the film that leaves you blindsided by its powerful acting that warrants some Oscar nominations. It's
that good. However, up until that point, the film portrays the lives of poor immigrant workers (mainly from Mexico) that
struggle to make ends meet on minimum wage and no health care as janitors for powerful companies that only care about
their bottom line. Normally, I would never upgrade a film's review based on a performance or especially one scene, but
in this case, it has earned that recognition.
Maya (Pilar Padilla) arrives in Los Angeles as an illegal immigrant from Mexico. Her older sister, Rosa (Elpidia Carrillo), doesn't
have enough money to pay Maya's smugglers, and Maya is expected to pay her own way with her body. Fortunately, she escapes
and Rosa secures Maya a job working alongside her as a janitor. Soon Maya begins to realize the terrible working wages and
mistreatment of her fellow workers, most of who are also illegal immigrants. She meets an activist, Sam (Adrien Brody), who
tries to convince the janitors to form a union to fight the company. A battle between the company and the intimidated workers
ensues that creates a rift between Maya and Rosa, who is more interested in keeping her job than taking any unnecessary
risks.
British-based director Ken Loach, who is known for his leftist politics and stand for the little guy, presents the film entirely
from the workers' perspective. You develop sympathy for the characters and their plight, which makes the final moments
in the film even more significant. He is obviously pro-union, and at times becomes a mouthpiece for the cause, but it never
reaches the point where it affects your willingness to embrace the story. Loach wisely uses simple methods to get his
point across the viewer, employment more hand-held shots in a film than I can remember in a long time. It forces you to
confront their lives, and puts you squarely on eye-level with the characters.
The aforementioned scene occurs between Maya and Rosa in the film's closing minutes, as Maya confronts Rosa about her
apparent sabotage of their unionizing efforts. Maya is furious, but quickly subdues when she learns of Rosa's unbelievable
sacrifices for the family. The scene is so raw, so emotional, so stunningly effective, it changes how you perceive the entire picture.
Suddenly, the characters become more real, more authentic, and their cause is easily understandable. Maybe the fact that
Rosa's situation is a very real scenario for many like her in real life is reason enough to give the film its due credit.
Whether or not you'll like Bread and Roses will depend mainly on your own preconceived notions of the Mexican
immigrants' plight, and if you're able to tolerate some leftist politics. However, there's no denying the impressive performances
by newcomer Padilla, the likable Brody, and of course Carillo's impassioned effort. No matter what your political
preferences are, it won't get in the way of enjoying a heartfelt drama that's worth investigating.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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