Good film--unacceptable for racist USA

Rating: 9/10 (5 January 2014)

Elysium is a film with an uncompromising message and to that extent it is surprising that it ever got made, but unsurprising that it has faced so much criticism.
The core message from the makers of Elysium is that it is immoral for one privileged population to exclude another population from the benefits of modern medicine and social care, The use of the Spanish language as an identifier of the underdogs makes the message very clear. This is an indictment of US policy towards Latinos. The underdogs who care for the children of the US middle class, who clean the schools, homes and and offices of the affluent in the USA should also benefit from the medical and social facilities enjoyed by US citizens.
Not surprising this film is not popular. Critics attack the lack of story, but what they are really unhappy about is fact that the story does not glorify "American Values" those being-- typically--the inviolable rights of Anglo-Saxon Americans to defend their privileges with overwhelming fire-power.
Actions thrillers have a duty to confirm that God is white, Anglo-Saxon and very heavily armed. Elysium makes this claim, but then subverts it by implying that the White Anglo- Saxon Armelite God might also serve Spanish-speaking refugees. So Elysium is unlikely to appeal to the knuckle-dragging Rambo Admiration Society because, while they would run a mile from any accusation of racism, they feel strongly that border protection is an important issue. Nor will it appeal to audiences who understand the irony of the previous sentence, because anyone who appreciates Almodovar would not normally be drawn to films that spend much time salivating around armories.
The US film-going audience is not sentimental. They are not even particularly tolerant. If a film-maker wishes to proselytise they had best do so on a modest budget.