Honestly this is a great movie very impactful message and realities. To the people saying oh editing is choppy, bad acting/dialoge, this is a movies from the 80's maybe 70's and not with a huge budget. Yes sometimes you can see it's bad but remember those things. The ending was really meh didn't really understand it. It brings reality very clear

I'm astonished by the high rating. It must be sympathy votes for the subject (oppressed under class struggling for a better life). It is NOT a well made movie. 1) At 2:10 minutes it is easily an hour too long. 2) It is pretentiously arty: Three Acts. Please. 3) The acting is stilted, high school drama class. 4) The plot is contrived and unbelievable (why would you kill your own work force? you would just threaten them. why did the coyote have to go around and meet them on the other side? The first apartment was over the top awful. Yeah, we get it, bad apartment. The first coyote tried to rob them. Who saw that coming?) 4) The fight scene is laughably staged. 5) The story, though touching, is cliche. I wanted the characters to die so I didn't have to finish it. 6) The cinematography is repetitive, tedious, cliche (pensive sunsets thrown in for no apparent reason). 7) The music is awful AND fake. Clearly not playing that harp.

Gregory Nava's El Norte has a story that is easy to get on board with – a young man, accompanied by his sister, flees his homeland of Guatemala in order to escape certain death at the hands of the government. Hoping for a better life elsewhere, they travel through Mexico on their way to California, where they are willing to gamble on an uncertain future. While the story is interesting and the message is as timely as ever, looking at it objectively, it's not a very good movie. The acting is mediocre at best, the dialogue in the third act is embarrassing at times, the editing is often choppy, and the incredibly soppy ending detracts from the film's message. El Norte makes a noble effort to tell an important story, but that doesn't make it a good movie.

Gregory Nava directed the drama thriller film known as El Norte in 1983. The plot revolves around a small Mayan town in the middle of protests, conflicts, and war. The audience is introduced to Rosa and Enrique, who fled after a masquerade of friends and family. Paving the way to the south, the two siblings encounter a perpetual road of obstacles and hurdles. The stark and harsh reality of life as an immigrant and the magazine portrayal makes the entire film enticing and heart-wrenching. The film evoked immensely emotional reactions from me. I believe my understanding made the film all the more effective because my entire family is immigrants. To me, the portrayal of the unjust and insidious behavior towards the siblings made the film gravely realistic. Although El Norte was filmed in the 1980s it did not fail to capture the animosity and cruelty immigrants face in this country. The viewer watches in disbelief throughout the film as the siblings go to extreme lengths to appease and conciliate their caucasian counterparts. The theme remains intact until the last segments of a promising and bustling country. Only when the veil falls do the audience and protagonists comprehend the true picture of America. The film's intended genre was drama. In my opinion, the portrayal and sequencing of this particular film were executed to fit drama flawlessly. The extension of the climax and the protagonist's attitudes and actions toward the struggles accumulate into a triumphant drama. The consistent highs and lows coupled with the hopeful propensity exhibited by the two siblings keep the audience immersed. Based on my interpretation, a mature audience would be best suited for the themes represented in the movie. Throughout the film, the viewer is continually exposed to the real-life struggles of immigrants. Being able to interpret and comprehend this concept makes the movie all the more stimulating. The film was an eye-opening experience, and I appreciate it. The only feature I found fault was the sound effects developed in the storyline. The sound production was highly inaccurate. However, the execution of the journey, plot, and character development were indisputably immaculate. I thoroughly value the proper representation of migrant issues and the exclusion of condescending language. The siblings' extreme lengths to achieve a modicum of normality evoke emotional distraught. The message is loud and clear, and the audience is aware of it. I rate this film an eight out of ten. References El Norte. Directed by Gregory Nava. Cas David Villalpando, Zadie Silvia Gutierrez, Stella Quan. The United States. 1983. American Playhouse/PBS.

El Norte is a beautifully made movie that has the color palate and themes of a mural. The writing is blunt and melodramatic, but the performances are sincere enough to make it believable. Little has changed with regards to the immigration situation since the film was released.

El Norte feels like a novel that is part of a high school curriculum - socially conscious, epic in scope, and tackling unfortunate realities, while also sharing a few of the weaknesses, coming across as a bit obvious or simple in its attempts to be profound. Both of our main characters, Gutiérrez's Rosa and Villalpando's Enrique, are essentially totally without vice in a world that is pitted against them; it's not the most realistic or morally gray of dramas, but it does succeed in hammering home empathetic characters in disadvantaged situations (even before the ending, parts of the film are not easy viewing). El Norte's greatest accomplishment is depicting its characters' journey as a bridge between worlds, so shocking are the distinctions between the experience that the Xuncax siblings undergo in their native Guatemala and in Mexico compared to the gilded birdcage of the United States, before discovering that both places have assigned a low value to human life, just in different ways. Both of the leads give very solid performances; what few opportunities they have for major character development nevertheless are well-delivered. It's among the greatest of the 'American Immigrant'-themed films, even if it's not exactly subtle. It's not like the environment or themes have really faded with time, El Norte remains very relevant. (3.5/5)

Quite exquisite portrayal of the injustices forced upon the local indigenous population of Guatemala during its protracted civil war...but without preachiness whatever. Formed against the backdrop of a Mayan community, whose quiet dignified leaders had begun to coalesce against the brutality of the military that had seized their very productive agriculturally based economy (their lands)...the massacre of these leaders and their families that ensued -- and the perilous, tortured journey to "El Norte" undertaken by one of the only remaining family members -- a brother (Enrique) and his sister (Rosa). Gorgeously photographed and acted..deep, steady portrayals of their evolution and testing as they reach their final destination of Los Angeles. Through all, a shining humanity...these characters are neither simplified nor 'iconized'....enabling the viewer an empathic 'seeing' that is a rarity. As relevant today as when it was made in the 80's -- speaking to the world's immigrant population in both clear and fresh images and language.

1001 movies to see before you die. This film shows the plight of immigrants coming to USA. It was sad, but at the same time contrived for dramatic effect. It could have been better.

One of the best movies I've ever seen, and I say this more than 20 years after first seeing it. One of the things that really stands out to me, over time, is the beauty of the photography. I truly can't think of another film I've seen where the imagery itself was so striking that I've found it unforgettable. And the story itself has, for me, held up over time. Twenty years later, the US still finds itself grappling with the immigration issue, but this movie tells you how the issue looks from "the other side", in a manner that touched me deeply then, and still does to this day. I wish that it was required viewing for the " build the wall" crowd- it might actually cause some of them to think through the plight of those who are desperate enough to risk everything just to find a way to be safe, to work hard, and have a decent life. Seeing this film certainly opened my eyes and informed my views, and still does.

The best movie ever made!

Set against the backdrop of the Guatemalan Civil War, El Norte is an eye-opening and heartbreaking glimpse into a reality that unfortunately still exists to the day. The film follows two siblings, Enrique and Rosa, who flee their home country of Guatemala in search of a batter life in the United States. Before and after their arrival, they encounter numerous hardships due to their indigenous background, lack of English-language skills, and immigration status. Nevertheless, they do enjoy some triumphs throughout the film as the begin the assimilation process and find steady work in Los Angeles. Some of the more humorous scenes are indicative of both their humble background and of Americans' ignorance towards Central American immigrants. They are able to deceive a Border Patrol agent by using Mexican profanity during their detainment; due to this, the agent doesn't bother to question their true origin. This may reflect the overall attitude towards Central Americans in the U.S., which has its own roots in xenophobia. However, what sets this film apart is some of its more brutal scenes that illustrate choices made by the protagonists and their unintended consequences. Even though the choice to flee north was made in an attempt to escape poverty, violence, and certain death, the situations encountered during and after their departure from Guatemala can cause the viewer to wonder if the end truly does justify the means. When they are forced to crawl through a dark, rat-infested tunnel during the final leg of their journey, Rosa is unknowingly infected with typhus. This leavers her gravely ill for the final part of the film, and forces Enrique, who finally has a chance at obtaining a green card through a job, to choose between staying by his sister's side or leaving for his new job. He chooses to stay with Rosa and forfeit the job, resulting in him waking up from his own "American Dream." At the end of the film, Enrique is alone and left with little opportunity to advance in the United States. The ominous final scene of the film is chilling and in some ways, heartbreaking. Unlike most films centering on immigrants, there is no happy ending and no answers. Though the choice may be unpopular with audience, this is a harsh reality for many families who have fled the region. Nava's story is one that does not gloss over the ugly realities of living undocumented in the U.S., and remains relevant as long as these conflicts on both sides of the border continue to exist. Set against the backdrop of the Guatemalan Civil War, El Norte is an eye-opening and heartbreaking glimpse into a reality that unfortunately still exists to the day. The film follows two siblings, Enrique and Rosa, who flee their home country of Guatemala in search of a batter life in the United States. Before and after their arrival, they encounter numerous hardships due to their indigenous background, lack of English-language skills, and immigration status. Nevertheless, they do enjoy some triumphs throughout the film as the begin the assimilation process and find steady work in Los Angeles. Some of the more humorous scenes are indicative of both their humble background and of Americans' ignorance towards Central American immigrants. They are able to deceive a Border Patrol agent by using Mexican profanity during their detainment; due to this, the agent doesn't bother to question their true origin. This may reflect the overall attitude towards Central Americans in the U.S., which has its own roots in xenophobia. However, what sets this film apart is some of its more brutal scenes that illustrate choices made by the protagonists and their unintended consequences. Even though the choice to flee north was made in an attempt to escape poverty, violence, and certain death, the situations encountered during and after their departure from Guatemala can cause the viewer to wonder if the end truly does justify the means. When they are forced to crawl through a dark, rat-infested tunnel during the final leg of their journey, Rosa is unknowingly infected with typhus. This leavers her gravely ill for the final part of the film, and forces Enrique, who finally has a chance at obtaining a green card through a job, to choose between staying by his sister's side or leaving for his new job. He chooses to stay with Rosa and forfeit the job, resulting in him waking up from his own "American Dream." At the end of the film, Enrique is alone and left with little opportunity to advance in the United States. The ominous final scene of the film is chilling and in some ways, heartbreaking. Unlike most films centering on immigrants, there is no happy ending and no answers. Though the choice may be unpopular with audience, this is a harsh reality for many families who have fled the region. Nava's story is one that does not gloss over the ugly realities of living undocumented in the U.S., and remains relevant as long as these conflicts on both sides of the border continue to exist.

Truly groundbreaking stuff here. Seeing through the eyes of these characters helps you understand the struggle for people striving for a better life.

An incredibly topical digestion of the undocumented immigrant debate, that poignantly, however with a certain bluntness, shows you what's happening and, while I won't inject my opinion, the human side painfully overlooked. And this is simply icing on the cake for what is a brilliant example of deconstructionist, visual filmmaking, with fantastic editing and exceptional direction by Gregory Nava.

Brother and sister, poor and dreaming, from south of the border. Towards the american dream, hard, harsh, bloody and treacherous, yet its touchable if your are willing to sacrifice everything.

http://filmreviewsnsuch.blogspot.com/2016/06/el-norte.html

Harrowing and tragic, El Norte delivers with raw emotional power.

This is a story about a brother and sister who are poor in Mexico. They are Native Americans and because of this they are looked down on by most other Mexicans. After a tragedy the siblings decide to travel north to america. This not only a story about their journey, but also about what they do once in america. A great story, they just want to live their lives with out people treating them like trash. They are hear working and smart. The movie is a tear jerker, very well done and worth watching.

Marvelous, gritty, sensitive portrayal of the immigrant experience. Essential viewing before opining on "the illegal problem".

With powerful performances from its two leads, stellar filmmaking, and pointed direction, El Norte feels all too real for a fictional story. Even at its broadest and darkest moments, Gregory Nava never fails at making the film seem like an extremely close and personal work.

An overly melodramatic portrayal of two guatemalan siblings running from their government first to mexico & finally to LA, where the american dream is as fragile as a phone call from a disgruntled coworker for illegal workers.