Customer Reviews

Entre Nos

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Despite being an immigrant story, Entre Nos has surprisingly little to do with United States immigration policies. Though released during a period where the debate over immigration reform seems to be reaching a fever pitch, Entre Nos manages to avoid any overt political commentary on the subject. For some, this will undoubtedly be to the movie's detriment; however, Entre Nos works *because* it doesn't try to tackle any larger issues. It is a simple film, unburdened by any need to Tell Us How The World Really Is, and it is that simplicity that makes the film work on such a human level.

From a technical standpoint the film may not seem like anything special, but triple-threat director/writer/leading actress Paola Mendoza manages to infuse Entre Nos with a striking and palpable sense of gritty realism. New York is presented as neither a sterling metropolis nor a grime-infested deathtrap; it simply exists, as unconcerned with the main characters' plight as any random passerby. Speaking of Mendoza, it is her genuinely touching performance as Mariana that elevates the film to the level it is at. She is resilient and loving but also fearful and deeply hurt by her husband's betrayal; Mendoza tackles this emotional gauntlet like a seasoned veteran. Credit, too, must also be given to Laura Montana and Sebastian Villada - who play Mariana's children Andrea and Gabriel, respectively - as their performances are as equally real as Mendoza's, without the stiffness and wooden delivery that so often plagues child actors.

Entre Nos may not be for everyone. It's a sparse and quiet film that doesn't attempt to explain or solve the issues that surround immigration. However, in a time when the facts about immigration reform are frequently be boiled down to mere numbers and statistics, Entre Nos serves as a reminder that, for all the talk of stolen jobs and welfare exploitation, there is a human element involved that is all too frequently forgotten.

This is a must see film so we all can understand what the immigrant experience is like. We are all sons and daughters of immigrants, even if it was during a different generation. We need immigration reform!

1 Disc Widescreen, released July 20, 2010

"Entre Nos" is based on a true story in which Paola Mendoza makes her amazing debut as writer/director/star of this film with the help of writer/director Gloria La Morte. Mariana has to find ways to provide for her family of two young children, Gabriel played by Sebastian Villada Lopez and Andrea played by Laura Montana Cortez after their father abandons them after they immigrate from Colombia to the U.S. where she barely speaks the language.

Years earlier, Mariana's husband immigrated to New York and she rejoins him with the kids to reunite the family. Two weeks later, he announces he is taking a new job in Miami and move there alone for a few months sending them money and then return. After a while, she figures out he will not be coming back and with rent due has to find a way to fend for herself and the children in a strange country starting with making empanadas and later collecting cans.

Mendoza's struggle and emotional endurance in this film is masterful. The two children are endearing and very honest in their characters. They try their best to help their mother but also need to have fun once in a while in order to keep the balance since they work all the time. This is a very well-done film that is inspiring to see what a person can accomplish when their back is to the wall.

Mendoza and fellow writer Gloria La Morte flawlessly capture the desperation of the family's situation, but even more importantly their closeness, desire to be together, and love for each other that manages to keep their spirits up even in the darkest of times. One of the saddest moments for me was Mariana's daughter, Andrea turning to her and saying "You're not funny anymore" and the dawning realization on Mariana's face that she quickly turned into a tickle fight challenge to ease Andrea's worries. Small moments like that abound in this film which consequently break your heart and warm it at the same time.

If you enjoyed Will Smith's journey in "The Pursuit of Happyness ", you'll want to check this out because this is another case of everything being taken away gradually and trying to keep your family alive and together and rising to the occasion. Most of it is in Spanish with English subtitles.

Bonus Features:

There is commentary by Paola Mendoza who is the director, writer, and star of the film so she gives insight on all angles of the process one rarely gets in a commentary track. What is most amazing about this film is that it is actually Paola's mother's journey and she WAS the character of Andrea making this very personal for her.

Behind the Scenes actually gives a great inside look at the open call auditions, discussions with casting directors, and character directions that you don't see every day. She spent a lot of time playing with the children and getting more comfortable together so they would be loose enough for acting and did a lot in the rehearsal process. The production was made in about twenty days.

"How to make Empanadas" is a cute little extra on the disc revealing that Paola Mendoza does not actually know how to cook and needs the help of director/writer Gloria La Morte as Master Chef to learn how to actually make these. If you have trouble following the process, the recipe is also available on their website. There is a PSA on Immigration Reform and it's easy to see why this movie ended up on Michael Moore's 20 "Best Pictures" of 2009 and the receipient of an Honorable Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival. If you enjoy Mendoza's work, another great extra is her short film "Still Standing" also on this disc.

I normally don't cry while watching films, but this film makes it hard to pull that off! The film has so much heart, so much emotion that its hard not to get involved and become one with the characters. The story reaches out to you and almost makes you want to become a part of it. This is one of the best independent films that I've seen and it deserves all the credit that it can get.

Paola Mendoza's performance in this film is exceptional. I'd previously seen her in On the Outs and thought she was good in it, but her acting is on a different level all together in this film. The two kids, Sebastian Villada & Laura Montana, play the characters of Gabriel & Andrea so well. Along with the story, the casting and most importantly the acting are the strong points of this film. Once can only imagine the kind of directing that must have gone into this film to bring it all together and make it work so well.

I personally give this film two thumbs up and highly recommend this film!

Entre Nos is as much an American story as it is an immigrant story. It mines the poetry, struggle, beauty, and ugliness that marks all of our lives, and it does so with quiet humility and grace. While it may be easy to propagandize the film's message for political purposes, the emotional power is far more complex and interesting.

If you can get past the cliches and stereotypes,and overlook mediocre acting, you might enjoy this film more than I did. Thought I'd like this more than I did.

This is a pretty nice movie. It has been produced by a NGO but, given its human value and acting quality, I think that HBO could buy it easily. It is the story of a young mother and her two children surviving their first summer in the USA after her husband abandons them. The movie is a lesson on solidarity as the two children cooperate with their mother even tough they are still very young. It is also a lesson in parenting as the mother never loses her mind or charges on her children as most stressed out parents do. The unconditional love among the three of them is a constant, the stability of this story. It is a movie with a happy ending because they managed to survive anyway, against all odds. It is an American story because only in America a mother of two young children is capable of getting on her feet without state or municipal assistance.

A simple, honest, heartfelt film, without the bells and whistles of a big budget Hollywood flick, Entre Nos tugs at your heart in more ways than one. Its strength lies in the universality of its story - of every man or woman who has had to face the struggle of survival, and that it is possible to do so with strength, grace and the single minded belief in humanity and goodness that exists around us. This film moves beyond culture, race, language and goes right to the core of humanity, something we can all relate to, no matter where we come from or what language we speak. Deeply moving and inspiring. You won't be disappointed!

Entre NosThis film is very moving, it is raw in the aspect of emotion and gritty in that you feel the struggle of living in nyc without being from the city. it is very uplifting and makes you feel the possibilities of creating the life you want with tenacity, courage and fortitude but also not without loss and heartbreak along the way. The fact it is based on a true story gave me tingles. The story grabs you from the start, acting was really so amazing and heartfelt, direction was super and i just loved the cinematogaphy ~ really a good movie. Really a good recommendation!

This movie is likely to make you thankful for your blessings! The acting was very good. This true story does not elicit pity as much as admiration for the mother in her struggle to see that she and her children have shelter and food. She is resourceful and determined and you feel so glad to learn, in the end, that they rose well above their life on the street circumstances in the end.

Re being "family friendly", well, there is an abortion, but even if you don't believe in abortion (as I do not) you will probably find it hard to not feel compasson for the woman - she feels terrible about doing it, but is frantic about being able to take care of her other children.