rarome Review of The Virgin of Juarez

The Virgin of Juarez (2006)

Exploiting Juarez Tragedy was focus here

[1/10 · 7 February 2008]

The Juarez tragedy is sad thing to exploit for entertainment. I would love to see a film that really focuses on this tragedy (thousands of women getting raped and murdered for over a decade, for those who don't know)and shows the horrors to gain more awareness and maybe create more dialogue with Mexican authorities and U.S. border authorities. An impactful film ala "Hotel Rwanda", "City of God" or "The Battle of Algiers", which tell the stories of the people living in tragedy. BUT, NO!!! We get another film that for reason decides to tell the Juarez story from East Los Angeles and have a full out Cholo battle with LAPD. Yes people, a gang battle with LAPD in a movie about Juarez, Mexico!!! I have to ask Minnie Driver and Angus Macfadyen, "WHY???!!". She's an Academy Award Nominated actor and she decided to do this. Angus was in "Braveheart"!! I can understand the usual Latin Actor suspects being in this (trying to speak Spanish when most of them didn't, sadly). But Minnie and Angus??!!! Anyway, not sure I'll be giving away any spoilers. Expect some horrible dialogue, bad TV directing and cinematography, bad acting, bad editing, bad story line, many clichés, not caring for characters (except for Isidro played by Jorge Cervera Jr.)and of course gang war with LAPD. Can't forget having a gang shoot out in a Latin themed film, right? The Juarez tragedy is barely touched upon and after veering off completely, all you get is a card at the end giving you some facts. By then I'm sure many have turned to another channel, which I should have done. Well, at least I gave it a chance.