Crossing Over

CROSSING OVER is probably one of the most powerful, heart wrenching immigrant stories out there. Some have accused this of taking the concept of Crash and just injecting it with immigrant issues. Be that as it may, even the concept of… Crash wasn't completely all that original but both movies are well-crafted and well-executed. The interconnected characters and plots will leave you to ask questions about the meaning of liberty and what America used to stand for. The movie depends on its all stellar cast led by Harrison Ford in his most unusual role ever, none of his typical saving-his-family from terrorists, in fact, his character in CROSSING OVER is a loner who wonders whether his job as ICE agent is the right thing to do, he's haunted by the implications and the impact of what he does for a living on those who just want to come here for a better life and angered by those who take advantage of the freedom bestowed upon them. After 9/11 happened, the rules of the game have changed and Ford, in a way, is like that aching voice bugging us to rethink whether enforcing homeland security at the expense of a few good immigrants can be justified. All the rest of the supporting actors are outstanding in their performances, Jim Sturgess plays a guy who sticks to his principles to get a green card while his girlfriend is willing to sell her body for it. Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd play a married couple and yet they're on two different teams, one takes advantage of the newcomers while the other tries to save them. But the most controversial is probably the issue of freedom of speech presented by writer/director Wayne Kramer in this movie. Once again, it's the question of homeland security at the expense of freedom can be justified or not, it's a bit of a criticism against Patriot Act. But isn't freedom of speech comes with limits? Because if it's without boundaries, then anarchy and division are what would happen. Wayne Kramer does a good job in making sure not only each plot would flow well with each other as they overlap within a decent running time but he also tackles only the most imperative complexities without wasting time in taking unnecessary shots or moments. I love the story because it punishes those who take freedom for granted and rewards those who cherish it. In the case of that schoolgirl, played by Summer Bishil, it's still arguable.. is she an example of someone who abuses freedom of speech or is she a victim of persecution? I wasn't a big fan of Wayne Kramer's previous works which include Running Scared and Mindhunters, but CROSSING OVER is a whole nother result, he finally understands what he needs to do to come up with a good story, not simply trying to confuse or depress you. One last note, actor Cliff Curtis gives an Oscar worthy performance as Harrison Ford's partner in this movie, too bad Curtis will be overlooked and this movie will remain as one of this year's under-appreciated. Has America forgotten that it was once a land of immigrants? --Rama's SCREEN--

source: Crossing Over

Harrison Ford continues to make me wonder why anyone takes him seriously any more when he turns in another clueless performance in a film made to make those in Hollywood feel good about standing up for social issues. The intersecting tale of various immigrants (both legal and illegal) in and around Los Angeles is another attempt at a Crash like film about the worries of the world, in this case the plight of those coming here for a better life. Good looking and meant to be representational the film seems completely wrong and fake with Harrison Ford seemingly lost as an immigration agent who's seen too much but still tries to have a heart of gold (he's unlike any immigration officer I've ever met). There are bits in this film that work but all of them deserve to be in another better film. Forgive me this is one of the recent "message" films that Hollywood has turned out where well to do filmmakers unconnected to the subject they are covering make well intentioned by rather clunky films that are geared toward making themselves feel good but don't really address the situation because they are so full of false notes and contrived situations that no one sees the films since they never ring true. I'm sure everyone had good intentions because the performances and craft are all heartfelt, but the result is either silence or in my case a resounding "oh please". Those looking to feel good about a subject by watching a film but have no intention of actually doing anything about it are directed to this film. All others should take a pass and go help a neighbor instead.

I wasn't the biggest fan of 2005's 'Crash,' and although I did think it was a well made film, it was certainly my second choice for the Best Picture Oscar. Unfortunately, we take a huge leap backwards for the extremely similar 'Crossing Over.' No real performances stood out in 'Over,' as Sandra Bullock's excellent turn in 'Crash.' We have a very old Ford playing his signature person of power doing the absolute right thing, Liotta plays his normal sick-twisted male and Judd's the heroine for all humans! If you think about it, barely a departure was any of these characters, which was why I loved the performance of Bullock in 'Crash.' Gone was her goody-two-shoes role as was Denzel Washington's best performance in 'Training Day.' I would've liked to see some originality in 'Over,' but there was little to none. Sure, some moments were touching, but the overall movie was a mess. Too hard did they try to mimic 'Crash' and it's overlapping 7-8 separate plots, desperately trying to make you feel something for these characters. Basically, we get about 7-8 different sides to the immigration problem and what people would give up or lie about to get citizenship. (Major spoiler ahead.) The worst storyline involved Curtis (in law enforcement) who after losing his sister, gets hammered at a bar, enough to be cut-off, and then proceeds to drive to a liquor store to get more alcohol all the while plot #4 "crosses over" involving young Asians bent on robbing the said store. So, completely drunk Curtis fires, kills all but one he allows free so he can attend his citizenship ceremony the following day. Not once did any of the other police question Curtis's BAC, or how he got there, or the blatant evidence one bad guy was missing.

It is all about what you feel rather than what you think. If you are such a person then this movie is for you. There is just one thing that stands out and differentiates birth and death and that is 'feeling'. This movie stages that. It searches for the humane thing that is inside you and speaks with it. It makes one wonder as what on Earth have we done to ourselves. Fences separating souls for the mere possibility of opportunities and barbed wires guarding the land which is no different to what it is guarding from. Seeing through the distorted glass of paranoia...yes...this is what the movie talks about. Exceptional performances and down to earth language, this movie really questions the human being, if at there is a being in humans.

It's really surprising (for me) to read, that Kramers (director/writer) previous efforts as a writer, were Mindhunters and Running Scared (which he also directed). Both movies, that are more in the action genre and wouldn't really leave with the feeling that the guy who made those movies, could/would be able to make a drama, that can be compared to Traffic and Crash. Even if you don't feel it lives up to those two (which I feel too), it's still a pretty good movie. You have great actors and there is no holding back any punches. At times it gets really political (and how couldn't it go that way), although sometimes you'd wish even more involvement or that he would shed more light into some segments ... but then again, the movie might have felt too long if he did. As it is, this is a rock solid drama, about migration (immigration) and many other things in the US.

The moment I heard that girl defend the 9/11 terrorists, I couldn't take this f****ng movie serious, nobody in their right minds can defend somebody that kills knowingly 3,000 innocent civilians, you may defend them driving in a plane in the pentagon to make their voice heard-but an EMPTY plane-not full of innocent passengers-an empty plane in an empty twin towers in middle the night-no there's no justification to target civilians even to get your f****ng voice heard, if you'd pay me a million dollars I wouldn't let my kid play that ugly part, I can't believe Harrison Ford would act in this, this writer can probably understand blowing up a school full of innocent children in Serbia (or wherever that happened)so voices be heard, I pray to god that this doesn't portray the mindset of the average Muslim in the US otherwise we're deeply in trouble!!! Also, how can you compare this to "CRASH" which is a gem and doesn't try to get your solidarity with people doing thing the illegal way, crossed over borders illegally, how painful it is, and this movie shows just how painful it can be, I have no place in my heart for THIS PAIN! my grandparents struggled to come here legally, my friends came here legally, everybody can come here legally, and people should know if they will come here illegally they will suffer! what sick plot this is, showing how every other guy is deceiving the government and getting citizenship thru lies!! no wonder this made so little money, looks like people still know what's good and what's bad. From Wikipedia: It was given a limited theatrical release on February 27, 2009. It ultimately grossed less than half a million dollars in North America, and just over $2.5 million internationally for a total of $3 million. The film has reportedly made another $1.7 million in US DVD sales. Ha ha....

This film looks at the experiences of five individuals, who crosses path with an Immigration officer. "Crossing Over" is more than I expected. It tells so many forgotten stories that are worthy of mention, because of their desire to strive for a better life. This type of film is always in danger of stereotyping or misrepresenting minority groups in a negative way, but in "Crossing Over" there is no such problems as the characters are skilfully presented. I particularly like the imagery of motorway junctions shown several times in this film. It parallels the characters in the film, making decisions to turn one way or another, and the amount of traffic that passes through borders. It also brings out many points for discussion. What would you sacrifice to become an American citizen? What choices would you make, no matter how hard and painful they are, to make a dream come true?

I officially pan this movie for being what it is- propaganda crap to make you feel sorry for illegal immigrants with heavy handed drama and completely ignoring such things as the gang 13, their abuse of our hospitals and insurance, etc.. in this movie all immigrants are sweethearts and the only time they do something wrong is if they are pressured into a bad decision. It's very dangerous to be confusing American citizens into thinking we can afford illegal immigration any longer, and this movie is an obvious propaganda ploy to destroy American citizenship and its value by gunning for open borders. If you completely ignore what a dangerous piece of trash propaganda this is, it's a decent movie with some nice skin here and there and some OK acting, but it's a Trojan horse movie. Entertainment with a poison pill of deceit and distortion on a topic too serious to pretend we can be soft on any longer if we are to survive as a country. PLOT: Harrison Ford is part of ICE (La Migra) illegal immigrant control, he is conflicted by his role when he sees the damage deportation does to illegals, while we TOTALLY ignore the damage illegals do to the country. His sadness revolves around a pretty mother of one that he has to deport who then goes missing and he feels guilty.

I really don't believe this film helps immigrants in any way! An Australian woman who becomes a prostitute in order to get her visa? A Muslim girl who is trying to understand the terrorist point of view? It is like someone telling you that Hitler had his reasons too. An Asian guy who doesn't like America at all and help a bunch of crazy people robbing a store killing everyone like Terminator. The Arabian family that kill one of their own because they feel shame of their own relative. This is crazy, if this represent immigrants like me, then I would prefer no representation at all because these characters seem to have been out from a horror house. I didn't like the film and I really believe that instead of help immigrants, it will cause more problems to immigrants. The only real immigrant character I felt empathy was the Mexican woman, she was the only one who really represents immigrants in this country.