It's About America

Rating: 8/10 (21 February 2015)

I loved this movie. It's simple and straight forward and you sense what is going to happen, but who cares. It's the journey these young kids go through. It is about what America was about. The hopes and wishes of their children doing better than them. And most of the time, it is something that isn't gigantic. The stakes are huge, but they are life changing.
Costner plays it really low key. He puts on the charm of previous films that have him hapless, yet hopeful. The whole point of this is that America gives you second chances. You can take opportunity and whine and cry, but you can also see the good in it. Think about terrible jobs you have in life. The simple solution is to do it half-ass and complain. Well, of course, you first fall under that spell, but the smart person sees potential and makes the best of a bad situation. In Costner's case, the choice was forced upon him. A defeated family man who wants to make the best for his wife and kids. He openly shows disappointment, which...truth be told, most men tend to suffer silently. His supportive wife (played by a subdued Maria Bello) skirts the very touchy subject of being a talented but saddled with near poverty. This was how it was in the 80's. She believes in him. Yes, corny for our post-2000 world, but it felt..real. Contrast to that, these young Mexican kids who have no other future but to be migrant pickers. You are told this is generational. And there is no getting beyond it. This is their reality. But for a brief moment, they found a small victory in life. That glimpse...everyone should experience at one point in their lives.
It is an inspiring movie, and oftentimes on the nose. Given in the hands of typical Disney grinder, this could've been eye-roller. But in Niki Caro's hands, it was effective. I like the movie, I liked the kids. And I liked the performances.