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A Day Without A Mexican
Directed by: Sergio Arau
Starring: Yareli Arizmendi
Genre:
Comedy/Drama/ Independent
Run Time: 100
min.
Release Date:
May 2004
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Trying to conceive of a
"Left Behind" style film happening to a specific race in a specific
State is pretty out there. But director Sergio Arau does so admirably in
A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICAN.
Part comedy, part mockumentary, the film's liberal leanings are sure to
turn some viewers off. Taking consistent jabs at prejudices (and hitting
their target more often than not), the film takes on the premise that a
strange, magical fog has surrounded California one fateful day, blocking
all incoming and outgoing traffic, internet access, and all forms of
communication. And this weird atmospheric disturbance has also taken
away all of the Mexicans. The disruption to the Sunshine State is
evident as fruit rots on trees, vegetable aisles in grocery stores go
empty, and car wash patrons have to dry their own cars! Lilia Rod(riguez)
played by Yareli Arizmendi (LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE) is a
television news reporter who doesn't disappear. The
supernatural phenomenon seems to have passed her by even though she's
Mexican. Or is she? More unseen prejudices arise as we learn that most
Anglos label anyone with a coppery-toned complexion as "Mexican." Lilia
learns her true genetic heritage along the way but feels, in her heart,
that she's Mexican and promptly vanishes in front of a television
audience.
John Getz (BLOOD SIMPLE) plays Senator Abercrombie who has to
take on the position of California Governor Pro-Tem, as the current
Governor and Lieutenant Governor were Mexican. Thrown into the
spotlight, the new Gov has to deal with all of the chaos caused by the
disappearances as well as the disruptions to his own household when
their maid/nanny/cook vanishes.
Other characters include two border patrol officers who are forced to
deal with their prejudices when they learn that they no longer have a
viable job. This is one particularly hilarious portion of the film that
will really tickle audience's funny bones.
As California tries to deal with the loss of an entire race, the
remaining folks come up with some great reasons for the Mexicans'
disappearance. Some say that the sombrero is shaped like a UFO for a
reason {wink!} Others believe it's a form of the rapture, and the
apocalypse is upon us. Still others believe that it is because the other
races didn't appreciate the Mexicans and so they just up and left.
Regardless of the reason (true or not) the effect is felt throughout the
State. Anglos and other nationalities turn to looting and diving into
black-market fruits and vegies in order to save their restaurants. Talk
shows swing from one extreme to the other, some saying their glad that
the Mexicans are gone while others struggle to stay on the air with a
skeleton crew (many camera operators were Mexicans).
The film's faults are that this probably won't be for those who live
outside California. A Day Without a Mexican has a fairly specific
target audience. But the great message, often funny and poignant at the
same time, cannot be denied: we all need each other, regardless of race.
Special mention of the film's musical soundtrack must be
made, too. The mariachi version of California Dreamin' is
outstanding, as is the theme song A Day Without A Mexican.
(back to top) |
Image from A Day Without A
Mexican
DVD cost: $10.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The scenes on the empty
San Diego streets were shot on January 1st when there were few people
around because the production was unable to pay for closing them.
Movie Quote: "We
have lost our pride. We have lost our dignity. We have lost ...our
Mexicans."
Other Actors/Actresses
from A Day Without A Mexican
   |
