The Price of the American Dream
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Albertossy Espinoza, Gabriel Guillen, GiGi Erneta, Joseph Khouri, Raquel JimenezBrand: Laguna
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 98 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-03-30
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Laguna Productions,Inc
Movie Reviews of The Price of the American Dream
Movie Review: The price is rising
Summary: 5 Stars
After I garnered my first speaking/supporting role in the feature film entitled "The Price of the American Dream II" a few months ago, I was more than intrigued to at least see what the first one was about. The second was such an independent film made on a tight budget ($100,000) I figured the first one could only compare the same way especially since no one except the filmmakers had heard of it. I remembered seeing bits and pieces of the first in grade school but not much. Despite that, I felt different about this film. There was something about it that drew me in like no other did even though I had no idea of the first. I would later see the future would predict my past.
The Munoz family is in trouble and it isn't the fault of the parents. Christian, one of the sons, has become a gangbanger, Maria, a daughter, has already had two children and parties all the time, Chendo is struggling to learn English, Jackie, the other daughter, spends all her time with her sleazy boyfriend, and the parents are all but losing it over the fact that they should've never come to America. But a glimmer of light is enholding within the youngest son, Meno, who is in hopes of going to college and Laura, who is the goddaughter and wishing to finish up her career wishes in sociology at the local university. The sad thing is despite the dreams that both Laura and Meno hold, no one seems to care.
The Price of the American Dream is such an amazing put together story and equally great film that I kept thinking I was watching a documentary about real people. Indeed, it is very real to some, if not most of us. The portrayal of the Munoz family as nearly all the sons and daughters turning to the evils of the American world while not focusing on the reality of anything, and of course the extreme consequences that follow soon after. Then when some good finally comes into their lives the only ones who can accept it and enjoy it are the ones who really take the bad things to heart because they are the only souls who care. This is Laura and Meno in the film. They try their best to help their family but no one wants to open up enough for them to do so.
Even though I'm a boy, Laura was the one I found I related to the most considering the people I love to be with the most and the only ones who are my real friends all the Mexicans. Yet I see the bad that is happening to them and not WHAT they do. They are subject to so much and even this film typecast them to the point where it was too much on them as the bad people when it's everyone around them. The movie touched incredibly close to home as did the sequel which will come out later this year, but there is good in all which was also a great display in the entirety of the film.
In regards to the film, the acting by the principles is incredibly good. The one who really gave it her heart and soul and pulled through above the rest was Jackie Torres, who was also the director. In the role of Laura, the goddaughter in hopes of making her life in America is the one who must take all of this in. The film is an amazing display of what today's world has become and how we need to change it. If you are human then you will feel this movie. Yes, it's independency may get in the way of most critical people who watch movies everyday but you must see through the somewhat tedious acting from supporting actors and see the good instead...the message and the people in this film who gave it their all and that will shine above everything else.
In regards to The Price of the American Dream II, which I will also be writing a review for when it is released, it is because of part one that I am so proud to be involved in number two. I needed to see it to understand. The second continues to follow our protagonists from the first and creates a great storyline around the struggles that follow despite the success Laura had in the first one with the university. It shows that not all stories have a happy ending but for people a resolution can also be enough. The message behind both movies is that we put ourselves in our own problems and never think to blame ourselves for our own mistakes. Films like these will make you realize just who you are and what you are doing wrong. We need more movies like these.
Summary of The Price of the American Dream
Studio: Laguna Productions Inc Release Date: 11/11/2003 Run time: 98 minutesSimilar DVD Movies
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