This film takes the time-tested genre of the boxing film and combines it with the hot-button issue of Mexican immigration. The result is a rather touching, albeit lightweight drama. The story is about the different battles immigrants fight to survive, with boxing becoming a metaphor for the need to strike back against the seemingly unbeatable challenges of life.
Hector Villa (Kuno Becker) is one of many Mexicans who have made it to the United States and live a difficult life. He’s a farm worker, called a “picker”, dreaming of a better life. Hector’s late father had been a small-time boxer and Hector carries on the tradition by boxing at local clubs for extra money. He needs the cash because his mother his ill. The local boxing champion is Robert Stevens (Alex Nesic) who Hector would love to fight but, unfortunately, Robert’s cruel, racist father ‘Big Al’ Stevens (Stephen Lang) owns everything in town, including the venue where the legal boxing matches take place, and he doesn’t allow immigrants to participate. Even when Hector gets a chance to be Robert’s sparring partner; Big Al puts the Kibosh on it. Hector’s envy of Robert only increases when Robert sets his sights on Maria (Danay Garcia), who Hector is sweet on. Robert impresses Maria with his fancy car and invites her to parties at his nice house. Hector is eaten away by jealousy. The final straw comes when Big Al’s foreman cuts the pay of Hector’s sick mother because she isn’t able to carry her weight out in the fields anymore. In a fit of anger, Hector gets into a brawl with Big Al’s hired hands. His punishment goes beyond merely being fired. He is dragged away and dumped in the desert, over the border in Mexico.
Broke, homeless and despairing, Hector luckily happens upon the gym run by Billy (Bruce McGill, best known for playing Sheriff Farley in My Cousin Vinnie) who was once Robert’s trainer. Billie also used to train Hector’s father, and sees some potential in the son. He gives Hector a room and begins to train him as a boxer, despite Hector’s inability to pay. Hector burns to fight Robert, especially after he learns of his mother's death - which he missed.
It won’t be too much of a spoiler to say that the conclusion of the film comes down to a boxing match between Hector and Robert. When the final slugfest comes, there’s a lot more than pride and revenge riding on the result.
Someone could see this film as a second-rate Rocky set on the Mexican border. However, the boxing is used symbolically here. Hector’s anger has built up over the years from all the problems he can’t solve. He couldn't heal his mother and he doesn’t make much money. He can’t compete with Robert’s wealth. Big Al won’t allow him his fair shot at Robert’s title until a convenient plot twist makes it possible. Robert wants to lash out and boxing gives him the opportunity to pummel something. But symbolically, he is striking out for all the unfairly treated immigrants and beating the world into submission. The film makes us care about Hector and the other migrants. Becker does a nice job as the angry young fighter whose pride sometimes borders on self-destructive, and veteran character actor McGill adds some much needed gravitas to the cast. Steven Bauer does a nice job as Hector’s friend Tito who ferries Mexicans across the border. Danay Garcia is adequate as Maria, but isn’t really required to do much other than be a source of friction between Hector and Robert.
Nothing in this movie is particularly original, especially not the title. You’ll have seen similar plots many times before, but the immigrant angle adds a new wrinkle to some old clichés. The villain, Big Al, is written as a one-dimensional cartoon bad guy. There are a few too many coincidences or bits of plot convenience here. Hector luckily chances upon Billy who agrees to train him, even though Hector can’t pay. An important plot element late in the film happens solely for the purpose of allowing Hector the opportunity to get the match he so desires.
The final fight is marginally well done but less exciting than one might hope after the big build up. After films like the Rocky series, the viewers have come to expect chaotic and kinetic scenes of pugilism. A better choreographed battle might have ended the film on a more thrilling note. From Mexico with Love is very moving in its depiction of the trials and tribulations of immigrant farm workers. Overall, the cast does an nice job. It all may come across as a bit cliché but it succeeds in making us root for Hector and that’s the whole point.
DVD Bonus Features
There are no bonus features on this DVD.
"From Mexico with Love" is on sale February 16, 2010 and is rated PG13. Drama. Directed by Jimmy Nickerson. Written by Glen Hartford, Nicholas Siapkaris. Starring Steven Bauer, Kuno Becker, Steve Bilich, Carl Ciarfalio, Danay Garcia.
