A noble attempt by Robert Redford to make an environmental comedy/drama, and it darn near succeeds. I like the relaxed, jaunty tone of the film, a nice departure from this director's usual terminally serious mood. I also like the performances of many in the large cast, particularly Daniel Stern as an earnest NYU student adrift in New Mexican culture, Sonia Braga as the mother of all activists, Ruben Blades as a laid back sheriff, James Gammon as a sardonic ranch hand, and Carlos Riquelme as the doddering patriarch of Milagro.
Two things ultimately deprive the film of greatness, however. One is excessive length along with its faithful companion, slow pacing. The other, more serious flaw is a pervasive feeling that the film makers, which include not only Redford but scenarists David Ward and John Nichols, seem to be guiding us through the Museum of Colorful, Cuddly Chicanos. And the fact that said film makers are Anglos only makes it more patronizingly off putting. Give it a B minus.
PS...What I wrote above goes double for Dave Grusin's Nino Rota wannabe by way of Elmer Bernstein score and Robby Greenberg's "New Mexico shore is purty" cinematography.
Two things ultimately deprive the film of greatness, however. One is excessive length along with its faithful companion, slow pacing. The other, more serious flaw is a pervasive feeling that the film makers, which include not only Redford but scenarists David Ward and John Nichols, seem to be guiding us through the Museum of Colorful, Cuddly Chicanos. And the fact that said film makers are Anglos only makes it more patronizingly off putting. Give it a B minus.
PS...What I wrote above goes double for Dave Grusin's Nino Rota wannabe by way of Elmer Bernstein score and Robby Greenberg's "New Mexico shore is purty" cinematography.