First of all, the intentions of the filmmakers were seem to be worthwhile and good--to expose the sordid work conditions under which American corporations operate at the Mexican Border and which often spawn the mistreatment of the women workers following a day's or night's work. I suspect that both Jennifer Lopez and Antonio signed onto the project because of the credentials of established Latin filmmaker Gregory Nava, who has a keen eye for capturing the look and feel of a place, in this case, Ciudad Juarez. The problems, however, arise in the mixing of a documentary-style expose with the casting of a glamorous star who, not unlike Joan Crawford in her heyday, looks a little too smart and elegant for her scripted surroundings, local folks unlikely to look upon this icon (which is exactly what she appears to be) as just another local. And about half the way into this detailed examination of a mistreated worker, the film shifts into Hollywood melodrama, some unlikely over-the-top drama. I did not find it dull, but was disappointed it didn't fulfill it's best promise
Review of Bordertown
