Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Don't Believe the Hype

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

This movie really really amazed me and also kind of renewed my faith in Mexican cinema, although it is set in New York. As mentioned on this page, I definitely saw it as a counterpoint to Under the Same Moon, and it even features one of the same actors. It shows the side of (illegal) immigration that turns respectful, principled people into criminals and liars (and vice versa I would say). In his book "Las peliculas de mi vida" Alberto Fuguet quotes an el salvadorian cab driver as saying that everyone in El Salvador is a criminal but once they reach the USA they are all about helping each other. This movie, of course, attests to the contrary. It forces viewers to question their views about the plight of illegal immigrants, obviously, but also raises questions about the idea of entitlement and family. I can't recommend it enough, not only to fans of Latin American cinema, but to any North American who wants to see how bad the illegal immigrant experience can be.Also excellent performances by the whole cast, but for me Armando Hernandez stole the show. I had only seen him previously in "Amar te duele," so obviously this was a pleasant surprise for me, but he oscillates between mildly menacing and downright sinister and despicable in a performance that affected me more than anything I've seen in a while. I'm sure he'll be getting some roles worthy of him based on this performance. Honorable mention as well to Juan Diego and Paola Mendoza, they were great.For me, this is the kind of movie that I want to show to everyone I know, just because it is the kind of movie that made me question many ideas held by Mexicans and North Americans about the American dream. I think that although it is a much darker picture of Mexican entrance into America, it does coincide with Under the Same Moon in that very strong ties, and sometimes even familial ties, are formed based on shared language and/or experience. Watch this movie!

Despite a good cast and great directing, the first noticeable thing about Sangre De Mi Sangre is the improbabilities of the screenplay. Pedro a young man easily crosses over the Mexican/U.S. border with a truck waiting (unhidden) to take illegal immigrants on a rather rapid, non-stop trip to New York City. He is looking for his father who he believes is the owner of a French restaurant by stopping at every one listed in the yellow pages. It's like a series of unlikely events.While in the truck he meets Juan and tells him his story. Juan decides to steal Pedro's identity to take advantage of the situation. Pedro tries to find his father by the help of Magda, a rough around the edges girl who uses her smarts to survive. As dubious as the story may seem, it is never predictable. Pedro doesn't fall in love with Magda but does care for her sincerely. Pedro's father Diego doesn't welcome a deceitful Juan in open arms even after he believes that he is his son. However, Diego comes to love Juan and what's strange is that Juan grows to love him as a father too. The relationship between the two of them is the strongest in the film.Pedro's scenario is more of a story of hard knocks. He learns that he can't trust everyone and how to survive on the rough streets. He must do things against his convictions for money even compromising Magda. He's not as cunning as Juan is and is much more noble. The antagonism between the two characters is apparent even though they are only together for two scenes in the film. The actors elevate the weak material particularly Jesus Ochoa (Diego) who manages to make the most mundane things, like sewing faux rose petals, interesting. Armando Hernandez plays Juan's impersonation of Pedro is so believable that if the film began twenty minutes in; there would no reason to believe that he wasn't Diego's son. Jorge Adrian Espindola's (Pedro) innocence and Paola Mendoza's (Magda) brashness compliment each other. It would have been great to see what they could've done if they had better material.

Mexican and Spanish cinema have been giving us some remarkable films lately. From the psychological horror of "The Orphanage" to the complex "Amores Perros", those films are interesting, original, and show us that it is still possible to tell a good story. Here comes a new film, "Sangre de Mi Sangre", and it delivers in all possible ways.The film follows a young Mexican immigrant in his quest to find his unknown father in Brooklyn. Such a quest becomes problematic, as he has no documentation, speaks no English, is illiterate, and he happens to run into another young man who might have an agenda that might become lethal to a few of the main characters in the film."Sangre" is difficult to categorize as it keeps surprising us with the different scenarios it explores. There are moments when it is the other side of the story told in "Under The Same Moon", being so different in his stark and unsentimental approach. In addition to showing the underbelly of a supposedly civilized world, we become witness to the plight of people who have very few resources and sometime fall prey to even their own kind.In this film there are clear differences among the immigrants, shown at times as supportive, but we can also read an undercurrent of resentment and lack of sympathy for individual cases. The film feels very real as it portrays the consequences of living in a world that forces you to ignore your humanity and prevents you from creating any bonds with other people in order to survive. It is an existence where the real self is not allowed to surface because it is too dangerous.The acting in the film is phenomenal as stereotypes are abandoned and individual portrayals show characters ranging from innocent to perverse with much clarity. Even supporting types are given enough time for us to understand how they are important parts of the fabric of society. "Sangre" follows many of the patterns in "No Country for Old Men", with the introduction of another character that has very few if any redeeming qualities, a human being with a past that might be so horrible that it led to the creation of a monster. There are twists and ironies that will leave many in the audience quite upset, and be prepared to face a dark portrayal that offers very little in the way of hope."Sangre" shows what an artist of the technical ability of Scorcese is able to do if he rains himself and keeps control over the story over the technical. It is an amazing work of art, one that will have many discussing it for weeks.

I saw this film at Sundance -- and was blown away -- it is a fascinating film and extremely well done. There are a lot of different ways to look at the immigration issue, but I think that Chris Zalla chose a unique path. However, what was so beautiful about this film is that it is not an immigration movie -- that is what I loved. It was a human story. A family story. Painful, but uplifting all at the same time. I was riveted by the actors, especially Paola Mendoza, who I think is incredibly talented. I hope that films like this can open up a dialogue about the immigration issue in this country, as I think that it is time for us, as a nation, deal with this problem. I look forward to seeing the film again.