 | Bread and Roses Starring: Pillar Padilla, Adrien Brody, Elpidia Carillo, Jack Mcgee, George Lopez |
British director, Ken Loach, wastes little time involving the audience in this noble tale of human dignity vs corporate greed set in sun bleached, hazy Los Angeles, California. In his first American production, he puts us into the mindset of the Hispanic immigrant (legal and illegal) by steadfastly adhering to his stylistic approach of filming and adding naturalistic performances that draw the viewer swiftly into the narrative with seemingly little effort. This is a human story with strong political and social undertones. Loach sends a strong message without being preachy. Unfortunately, few (particularly Californians) will see this meaningful film. Without these hard working, decent, immigrants ("When we put on our uniforms, we become invisible"), California's economy would fall flat on its arrogant face. Director Loach takes us deep into the lives of these people and forces us to look. It's a stunning success and another notable film from this impressive filmmaker. With a hand held camera, Loach follows a group of illegals making the perilous journey from Mexico's "No Man's Land" across the California border. We take notice of a young Latina, Maya (Padilla) as she arrives successfully in LA only to escape a near rape and incarceration. When she arrives at her sister's home in East LA, it is a joyful reunion. Maya's sister, Rosa (Carillo) is married to Bert (McGee), a diabetic, and works as a janitor in a large high rise in downtown LA. Rosa gets her sister a job as a janitor in the same building, but all is not well. The boss, Perez (Lopez) knows full well that most of his employees are illegal and takes full advantage of their hopeless situation. They make only minimum wage, have no health benefits, work long hours, and are treated as sub humans. Enter Sam (Brody), union organizer. Hated and pursued by management, shunned by the workers, Sam's efforts to organize seem hopeless. Only, Maya seems attracted to the man. Her motivation to identify with Sam's cause is a bit perplexing and perhaps the only weak part of the screenplay. Maya, however, is bright, clever and up to the fight. With her help, Sam makes progress and the anticipated trouble begins. But Rosa turns against her, reporting her sister's activist deeds to management. Maya is fired. When Maya confronts Rosa and calls her a traitor we witness the most poignant scene of the film. Like voyeurs, we uncomfortably view this disturbing and painful confrontation. The scene is riveting thanks to the amazing performance of newcomer Padilla and raw emotions of Carillo. Perhaps the good guys are a little too good and the bad guys are a little to bad but no matter. The film has much to say on many levels and Loach visualises with power and force. For all of it's social and political dynamics, "Bread and Roses" will be long remembered for it's sensitive, humanistic insight. |