Perfectly adorable

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Extremely few films approach the immigration issue from the immigrants´point of view. I personally can only think of "America, America" and the more recent "Sin Nombre", which is basically "El Norte" made twenty-something years later. This singularity is important. Film is unfortunately expensive, very expensive. It´s sad how many different visions get lost because of money issues. Therefore the accomplishment of Gregory Nava and his crew is a small miracle. It really does give a voice to the voiceless.The film itself is a love letter to countless people who probably went through worse than the main characters. A lot them died along the way, if not before getting out of Guatemala. The real life tragedy is tough and "El Norte" does a great job not falling into angrier storytelling. It´s heartfelt but full of composure. The most distressing moments are inevitable. On plenty of occasions the film could have gone for easier dramatic effects but it never does. Instead it protects its characters with a noticeable loving hand letting the core of the issue speak for itself. The simplicity enlarges the story, it has traits of a classic tragedy. It whispers delicately its claim and the result speaks loud. We see the world through the eyes of innocence and hope without stumbling.In short, it´s a unique, important film still relevant today; a restrained, heartfelt testament to all the disadvantaged people in the world.

A sweet wonderful film that really shows the life and plight of undocumented aliens. What motivates me to give it a 8 out of 10 is the ending part of the film and the lack of certain realistic aspects of the film and story. Aside from magic realism (a very popular genre in post-modernistic Latin American literature and film – see NOTE below), the characters of brother and sister have very few real hardships - in comparison with what Central Americans actually have to endure on their very difficult and torturous trip to the north. There are rapings, muggings, and of course, the most difficult and common entry point, the desert. The desert is such a huge aspect of the journey that needs to be overcome. If there had been more usage of the indigenous dialog – it would have been so much more truer to the experience of what these people went through.NOTE: For all you video game "fanboys" out there - here is the definition of "magic realism": A literary or artistic genre in which realistic narrative or technique are combined with surreal elements of dream or fantasy.

EL NORTE, is considered by many to be one of the most poignant foreign films to have been released in recent memory. This film is a wonderful interpretation on just how heart wrenching and beautiful the human spirit can be. This movie is a perfect example of the celebration of the human spirit; one brother and one sister in search of the American dream, which millions attempt to achieve and few ever find. Though the endeavors which made their journey more intensifying, they made there way, the reached the unreachable star. The made it to Los Angeles, California.In a way this movie can, in many sense, can be seen in a way, that of, Enrique and Rosa being the Quixote figures for the film; turned away, different, and a dream so enormous that even a motel attendant states they will not survive-Enrique and rose. However, along the way their dream, their aspirations rub off on many people they encounter. Therefore the people become quixotified, in a way, and want to believe the henry and rose will make it to safety. In the film, a man even risks his life and safety to make sure "henry" and rose safely make it across the border, admiring their accomplishments.Furthermore, no good deed goes unpunished -as the film progresses you can see as to why- Only being sixteen years old, this film has in many ways changed in life and way of thought.George Nava made a brilliant choice given the context of the story, which was just a problem then as it is now, Immigration. Now, his choices are ever considered more brilliant given this- a post 9-11 world, a devisive state -CA- election, and a controversial war in Iraq. Furthermore the idea of immigration -pro-. With all these factors in mind, they studio -s- should rethink about re-releasing this film. Five months after watching this film I still think about its message, that we are all people and united we stand. Americans we are, Americans we'll be. If you come here to America and want to work for the people with, for the people, and by the people of the United States of America, you should, and shall be considered and American.

I first saw this movie when I was a kid and it just stayed with me. There are still some scenes that I don't forget. This is a really sad yet great story of a brother and sister who come to the US and how they suffer. You can practically feel the love and respect that they have for each other, it's wonderful. The parts that most stick in my mind are the Mexican sweet bread theft, the dryer machine incident and the rats in the sewer. It's been over 15 years since I've seen it. Great actors in this movie and good, realistic theme. It is an absolutely awesome movie and I would totally recommend it to everyone! Enjoy it!!!!