Customer Reviews

Cowboy Del Amor

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Cowboy del Amor" is a documentary about an old cowboy out of Columbus, NM, who used to take Gringos into Mexico to find Mexican wives. The Gringos thought that U.S. women had bad attitudes, that Mexican women were more appreciative. The Mexican women thought that U.S. men were more attentive to their women. They say Mexican guys treat women badly, just use them.

So we get to see three courtships and two marriages. And we learn of the deterioration of Ivan Thompson's (The Cowboy del Amor's) marriage to a Mexican woman.

The film is really charming, funny, and life affirming. We see these people's hopes and dreams, the awkwardness of courtship, the shy inter- family introductions, the fragile beauty and happiness of human love. The wedding ceremonies made me cry. But I'm a softy.

It's an "Indy" film and supposedly there is a Cowboy del Amor web site. I enjoyed it so much I watched it twice in one sitting!

I just want to say right off that I didn't think that I had strong feelings about the subject of mail-order brides. But, in truth, it's not a subject I pondered about very often. It might have seemed a bit silly or unnecessary that people utilize these services, but who am I to judge--I'm not on any moral high ground. I was, then, quite surprised by how distasteful that I found the documentary "Cowboy Del Amor." But I also have to distinguish the documentary itself from the subject, and often times documentaries investigate unpleasant topics. If they can provoke strong feelings, then they have been successful.

"Cowboy Del Amor" tells the story of Ivan Thompson, the Cowboy Cupid. For almost twenty years, Thompson has been bringing American men together with Mexican women in a matchmaking business. Advertising on roadside billboards, Thompson finds clients (generally older) looking for matrimonial material. They venture over the border, place personal ads and proceed to interview likely candidates (generally younger). Like a business contract, most of these men are looking for docile subservient creatures and the women are looking for someone to treat them nicely (and earn them citizenship). It's generally an odd, but understandable, settling of lowered expectations.

I don't mind the concept, per se. People do what they need to get by. But there is a certain hypocrisy that is glossed over at every opportunity. Ivan (a senior citizen by any standards) likes that teenage Mexican women will flirt with him. They respect age and wisdom, unlike in America (he contends). However, his ageist argument against the States falls apart because he is blatantly discriminatory against older women. All the American men are claiming brides half their age in this scenario (young and thin are generally required before meeting). Several men (Ivan included) requested brides who didn't want to learn to speak English--so that they would always be reliant on their husbands and, thus, stuck in the relationship. The most memorable sequence, to me, involves a 33 year old Mexican doctor who is set up with a 59 year old American used car salesman. With absolutely no common ground, intellectually or otherwise, this setup is painful to watch.

I feel as if I was supposed to find some of the proceedings here quaint, cute, or amusing. Mostly I found them sad. But I did find the film a fascinating study on a culture I knew little about. Thompson, himself, seems a nice enough fellow. He's a bit of a dinosaur in his thinking, though, but completely unaware of it. And I guess he has enough truck drivers and car salesmen as clients to prove that he is not alone in his world view. I do recommend "Cowboy Del Amor" as a curiosity. I think some may find it a genial crowd pleaser--I find it a vivid portrait of desperation and hypocrisy. KGHarris, 12/06.

Off-beat documentary about an aging US rancher who discovers his real professional passion -- playing matchmaker between lovelorn US men and willing Mexican women. Approach this with an open mind and you'll enjoy this genteel story -- approach it with pre-conceived notions of gender equality, border issues, etc., and you'll head into emotional upsets.

My whole family on my stepdad's side share the same traits and stories Ivan does. That stands to reason as he is my stepdad's cousin. If you think Ivan is one of a kind, your right but much of his family are simillar. Another reviewer made reference to Ivan being a throwback that will soon not be commonly found among our culture. I agree completely. I think there should be more shows like this one wherein the older generation gets to tell their stories, particularly the rest of the Thompsons and the Martins (My stepdad's Immediate family). This story is great and to me it was like being arround the old kitchen table at mom and dad's listening to the old stories of uncles, cousins, and other kinfolk. Great Job Ivan!!!

Ivan Thompson is an aging cowboy from Columbus, New Mexico who attempts to make a living by setting up American men with Mexican women. Ivan is a higly eccentric character still living in the past. But it's his unintentionally funny personality and odd perspective on life that gives this documentary much of it's charm and humor.

The movie features three couples. The first is Rick and Frances. Rick is a simple but apparently sincere Texas truckdriver seeking a "traditonal" wife. While Frances is a good hearted Mexican woman seeking a better life. These two hit it off right away and, shortly thereafter, Frances moves to Texas and they begin what appears to be a happy marriage.

The second pair is a very intelligent, young and attractive Mexican doctor and some old, fat, ugly used car dealer that Ivan is attempting to set her up with. This guy is totally devoid of personality and so clearly below the level of the Mexican woman that watching them together is hilarious. She begs Ivan not to leave her alone with this man. Ivan thinks it's because she likes him instead. But the truth is that the woman can't believe she is in this ridiculous situation and is looking for a way to escape. Very funny stuff!

The third story is even more funny. It involves a 76 year war vet who clearly doesn't have much going on up upstairs (or anywhere else) and a Mexican woman seeking to escape from a bad relationship. These two, and their entire wedding party, wander around some small Mexican town seeking to find someone, anyone, who will marry them. Unfortunately, it's a holiday and they have to wait until tomorrow to tie the matrimonial knot.

Those reviewers judging this doc based on their personal feelings about the "mail order bride" business are really missing the point. This film isn't out to make value judgements. But is instead a subtle, insightful and often hilarious look at the human condition. Subjects such as loneliness, desire and gender expectations are touched on as these people go about trying to find love, companionship and/or financial security. These folks are depicted as real human beings, warts and all. The situtions they put themselves are often difficult and hilarious. But still they keep on striving.

I'm in a white/Latina intercultural marriage myself. But the circumstances of how we met were totally different. For example, my wife, who is originally from Ecuador, had already been living in the United States for many years. She was economically independent and had her permanent resident card so there were no "ulterior motives" in our meeting. In fact, she had purposedly avoided dating non Latinos, considering the language and cultural barriers too high. But apparently my charms were irresistible (ha,ha) and she finally agreed to date me. We went out for 2 years and have now been married for 3 years. Being in an intercultural marriage can be difficult at times. But we love each other, have compatiable personalites and are, for the most part, happily married. We both thoroughly enjoyed waching this doc, often laughing at the odd circumstances but still wishing these people the best. Highly recommended!

COWBOY DEL AMOR is a documentary film which disarms the viewer immediately with the cowboy charm of Ivan Thompson who, in his boots and hat, serves as a matchmaker between Mexican women and American men. The camera follows Mr. Thompson and two American clients as they take a bus deep into Mexico to interview Mexican women. The dramatic tension in DEL AMOR is in wondering if the interviewers will like each other and, if they do, will a match work? Almost as fascinating are the shots of Mexican towns and countryside, the scenes of Mexican family life, the comparatively stiff family scene of one of the American suitors, and the back story of Mr. Thompson himself who also married a Mexican woman. A sedate night at the movies, COWBOY DEL AMOR is nevertheless charming and entertaining.

I just want to say right off that I didn't think that I had strong feelings about the subject of mail-order brides. But, in truth, it's not a subject I pondered about very often. It might have seemed a bit silly or unnecessary that people utilize these services, but who am I to judge--I'm not on any moral high ground. I was, then, quite surprised by how distasteful that I found the documentary "Cowboy Del Amor." But I also have to distinguish the documentary itself from the subject, and often times documentaries investigate unpleasant topics. If they can provoke strong feelings, then they have been successful.

"Cowboy Del Amor" tells the story of Ivan Thompson, the Cowboy Cupid. For almost twenty years, Thompson has been bringing American men together with Mexican women in a matchmaking business. Advertising on roadside billboards, Thompson finds clients (generally older) looking for matrimonial material. They venture over the border, place personal ads and proceed to interview likely candidates (generally younger). Like a business contract, most of these men are looking for docile subservient creatures and the women are looking for someone to treat them nicely (and earn them citizenship). It's generally an odd, but understandable, settling of lowered expectations.

I don't mind the concept, per se. People do what they need to get by. But there is a certain hypocrisy that is glossed over at every opportunity. Ivan (a senior citizen by any standards) likes that teenage Mexican women will flirt with him. They respect age and wisdom, unlike in America (he contends). However, his ageist argument against the States falls apart because he is blatantly discriminatory against older women. All the American men are claiming brides half their age in this scenario (young and thin are generally required before meeting). Several men (Ivan included) requested brides who didn't want to learn to speak English--so that they would always be reliant on their husbands and, thus, stuck in the relationship. The most memorable sequence, to me, involves a 33 year old Mexican doctor who is set up with a 59 year old American used car salesman. With absolutely no common ground, intellectually or otherwise, this setup is painful to watch.

I feel as if I was supposed to find some of the proceedings here quaint, cute, or amusing. Mostly I found them sad. But I did find the film a fascinating study on a culture I knew little about. Thompson, himself, seems a nice enough fellow. He's a bit of a dinosaur in his thinking, though, but completely unaware of it. And I guess he has enough truck drivers and car salesmen as clients to prove that he is not alone in his world view. I do recommend "Cowboy Del Amor" as a curiosity. I think some may find it a genial crowd pleaser--I find it a vivid portrait of desperation and hypocrisy. KGHarris, 12/06.

Ivan Thompson is quite a character. The sixty year old thrice divorced (including wedding and divorcing the same woman twice) cowboy turned matchmaker is a natural comic and storyteller with a colorful homespun observation ready for any occasion. Some of his comments can be offensive and would seem more at home in the 19th century than the 21st so to enjoy the movie this viewer had to keep repeating to herself "he's a product of his time, he's a product of his upbringing." Ivan's business is matchmaking - most specifically matching lonely American men with Mexican women looking for husbands from the states and he accompanies the men to towns in Mexico to meet the ladies he finds through newspaper advertisements. Ivan doesn't speak much Spanish but to his credit he seemingly treats the prospective Mexican brides with kindness and respect.

One of Ivan's US clients is Rick, a 48 year old divorced truck driver who not unexpectedly wants a woman much younger and thinner than himself. He finds her in Francis a sweetly pretty young woman with a winning smile who is coming out of a bad marriage herself. This match seems to work and she moves with him to his home in Laredo, Texas and we later witness their wedding happily attended by both Mexican and American families. Ivan's client James is not so fortunate. Ivan matches this 59 year old, three time visitor to divorce court with a thirtyish dermatologist who seems to have a lot going for her. Let's just say they don't click. We see one more of Ivan's matches after Ivan has "retired" from the matchmaking business because according to him he has too much competition from internet dating services. In retirement Ivan settles in Mexico and there successfully fixes his middle aged laundry woman up with a seventy year old Arizona veteran who is lonely and afraid he'll die and no one will know.

This is a well produced film that is far superior to some of the silly reality television shows that dabble in matchmaking. An outstanding element of the documentary is the realistic and respectful depiction of every day Mexican life not often seen in American media. The movie does raise some unsettling questions since these "matches" all seem to place the wife in a subservient role. But mostly the movie is just good entertainment starring the unforgettable Cowboy Cupid - Ivan Thompson.

Cowboy del Amor is a documentary about lonely American men who pay a matchmaker to take them to Mexico and introduce them to Mexican women who want to meet an American husband. The film is loaded with human drama, even if some of the characters aren't entirely likeable.

Most viewers will be ambivalent about the men who go South of the Border looking for love. The men are reserved. Many of them are sexists. Few make a strong impression. The Mexican women - who are willing to take risks for better lives - are much more interesting. One woman is a physician whose father was murdered in Chiapas. Another woman leaves her family in Mexico in order to come to the U.S. Surprisingly, many of these couples marry after brief introductions in which communications are strained by the language barrier.

The matchmaker is Ivan Thompson. Of the men in the film, Thompson is by far the most intriguing. His politically-incorrect philosophy is that people should view marriage as a business transaction first and worry love after they tie the knot. Thompson has twice married and twice divorced a Mexican woman. As a result, his finances are a mess. Thompson is a bit shady, but he has a roguish charm.

Cowboy del Amor isn't likely to change your life, but it is interesting.

Cowboy Del Amor was names by the veteran critic Andrew Sarris (New York Observer) as the funniest documentary of the year. The filmakers broke some major stereotypes- the macho cowboy turns out to have a sensitive heart, and they also gave a voice to Mexican women of today. They are educated, career women who are looking for a better future for their children.

The Cowboy hand picks the brides for his customers, and the film follow the journey in search for true love. This film is about the average American, not the rich and famous, which if why I like it!!! The entire family can watch. Highly recommended!!!