Desierto

With all that is going on politically today, specifically surrounding the U.S.-Mexican border immigration issues, it's no wonder that a film like "Desierto" was created. There is so much great fodder in which to write upon, that the storylines that could be created, is limitless. What interests me is why is there not much news indicating that many people are going to see this film, if for no other reason than out of morbid curiosity considering how much we all have been exposed so much about the immigration problems?

A hopeful journey to seek a better life becomes a harrowing fight for survival when a deranged, malicious rifle-toting vigilante, Sam (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) chases a group of unarmed men and women Mexican illegal immigrants through the U.S.- Mexican border to kill for fun. In the harsh, unforgiving desert terrain, the odds are stacked firmly against them as they continuously discover there's nowhere to hide from the unrelenting, merciless killer. The group's leader, Moises (Gael Garcia Bernal) attempts to formulate a plan to escape his wrath and turn the tables, but as he experiences the difficulty in that, especially suffering the intense heat, his perseverance and determination keeps him trudging on.

Others to round out the cast are Alondra Hidalgo as Adela, Diego Catano as Mechas, Marco Perez as Lobo, Oscar Flores as Ramiro and David Lorenzo as Ulises.

This was suspenseful and gritty which is what the director Jonas Cuaron ("Year of the Nail" '07) plus shorts, is known for. He really gets himself into the character's head so as to relate the right emotion to his actors. This filmmaker is relatively new, but I feel he is a filmmaker to contend with. It was written very well by Cuaron ("Year of the Nail" '07, "Gravity" '13) and Mateo Garcia ("Domingo" (short) '13). What truly makes this an interesting psyche study is the character of Sam. While we're faced with this angry, malicious vigilante on one hand, we also see the side of him of compassion he has for his dog, Tracker. It's a perplexing dynamic. Certainly the Moises role is fairly transparent, however, his evolution of going from one of the group to having to strategize his every move, not only for himself, but for others, was compelling for sure. Again, these writers, specifically Cuaron is some one who will be writing more screenplays as time goes on.

If the suspense doesn't grab you in this film, the lesson learned will. Lesson? Just because a people come to this country thinking it is going to be better, do not assume that. Our world, a lot of times, is not where you are, but rather is what you make of the situation at hand, and the people you're around.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                Rated: PG-13                                   94mins.