plasticanimalz
I had seen this in the video store and was curious but the portrayal of upper middle class Caucasians as incompetent and over privileged, on the DVD cover, made it a turn off. It started out funny but 1/3 of the way into the film it tried to become a documentary and became extremely racist with ridiculous stereotypes. Whites and African Americans frequently make fun of white people, so I have a sense of humor about it but usually it's funny and true, where the film's portrayal was just ridiculous. Not to mention, typically when I watch a documentary there is usually in depth research and/or historical facts and interviews from educated experts. This was just the same random jargon I hear from gardeners, fast food cashiers, etc., that does not support the premise of the film, which is, why we need Mexicans. Though, it seemed the film was more about why we need illegal immigrants. There was very little portrayal of Mexican Americans and their contributions and primarily about California farm workers, maids and the Mexicans that work in restaurants.The film portrayed all Americans as over privileged and ridiculously incompetent, who were incapable of performing menial tasks. They also portrayed them as Arian with blond hair and blue eyes, and the women were dumb and all wanted Mexican men and the white men were all racist jerks. One of the blond woman was also portrayed as an idiot who was a teacher, who took care of the kids, doted on her Mexican musician husband who was in a garage band, who implicated that he either had something going on with his hot Mexican backup singer or soon would. Not to mention, I'm assuming she somehow bought this house on her teacher's salary and supports the family since being a musician isn't exactly profitable. Meanwhile, she had a one night fling with her white neighbor. The other blond woman did indecent things to her Mexican boyfriend in his car. They only message I got from this is that white women are loose and that Mexican men should be with other Mexicans.Since I do have a Mexican American brother-in-law and cousin, along with nieces and nephews, it would have been nice to see something that did give insight, was educational and was not racist towards white people. Not to mention, it would have been nice to see at least one Mexican who was ethical and who was a business owner or held an important job, instead of giving the message that a Mexican can grow up to be a fruit picker, a musician who depends on his wife, or a weather man.The film started out mildly entertaining and gave you some insight and empathy, which is why I gave it 4 stars, but then it spiraled into something vapid, uninspiring and lacking in emotion.Not to mention, anyone can make a case for anything by using statistics they find on the Internet, but not backing them up with history, the whole story or credible experts makes them pointless and useless. For example, saying the Mexicans...or illegal immigrants, which this film was mainly about, should be here because California and other states used to be part of Mexico is like saying you should let Germany keep the majority of Europe it conquered in World War II, or that we should let England have the United States back since they founded it, or that we should give the country back to the American Indians and leave since they were here first. Not to mention, Mexico sold California to the United States, so, why does this argument keep coming back up? Why? Because people just regurgitate what they want to think in order to justify something that they haven't bothered to even crack open a book and read about.The film gave a bunch of random statistics and implicated that illegal workers fill jobs that California Americans are too incompetent and entitled to do. I grew up in several upper middle class communities in California, the South and the East Coast and all of these jobs that the film says we can not do were done by white or African Americans. In fact, I don't recall anyone having a maid or a gardener. The mothers took care of their kids, cleaned their own house and the husband and wife did the yard work or hired high school kids to do it. All other jobs they portrayed Americans as too incompetent to do where done by high school kids. Not to mention, the high school kids were always friendly and courteous. The Mexicans who fill these jobs in California are not friendly, courteous or helpful. They all look worn out and depressing and like the customer is the reason for their misery. In most cases you will get terrible service, if your item is defective they will try to con you into thinking that's how it's supposed to be, rather than just helping you, or they short change you or scam money out of your bank account with the "cash" button. It's gotten to the point where I am more than willing to pay more money elsewhere that I know I can get a quality product and great customer service with friendly faces. The number one export to Mexico from illegal immigrants is the American dollar, in the billions. And the cost to the California tax payer to support them is actually staggering, in health care, auto insurance, schools, prisons, unemployment, crime, amongst numerous programs. When a politician or economist brings up concrete and real statistics they are called a racist. The topic of money is purely numbers and economics and has nothing to do with race or gender. I would have liked solid points to show me some insight and empathy and their actual way of life. Instead this film was just vapid, heavily biased and not well researched.
beckjm
"A Day Without A Mexican" is a great example of how low-budget films in independent cinema can broadcast a message without having to comply to the typical conventions of Hollywood. Sure, there are no big-name actors or actresses prancing across the screen, but that's exactly the point: as a viewer, you are not meant to be distracted from the moral center of the film by celebrities. And what a moral center this film has.Part documentary, part comedy, part social commentary, "A Day Without A Mexican" successfully entertains the audience with seemingly blundering Americans ignorant of the extent to which Latinos contribute to the economy and society of California, while simultaneously calling attention to the alienation and discrimination hurled at this ethnic group on a daily basis. It may seem hokey to some viewers that in the end, after all the Latinos (not just "Mexicans") disappear, they come back and are embraced by everyone who finally realized how important they are to the society. Some of the jokes may also be cheesy and may not garner a titter from the audience, but the main point of the movie is not to knock you out of your seat with uproarious laughter. The pop-up facts enlighten the audience (such as reminding many Americans that those people from Honduras and Guatemala are NOT Mexicans) and add an extra layer to a complex film.All in all, "A Day Without A Mexican" is, so far, an underrated film. Don't focus on how low-budget the production is, focus on the points being made and the situations presented.
Lee Eisenberg
Given the current immigration debate, "A Day Without a Mexican" seems like an especially good movie. It portrays California's population seeing their lives turned upside down when all Hispanics in the state suddenly disappear. Only then do people - even anti-immigrants - realize how much the state depends on them, while there abound zany theories about the disappearance.The movie really brings up some interesting points: a very large percentage of the Golden State's population is Latino (they are in fact the largest ethnic group in LA), and immigrants do the jobs that no one will do. One of the funniest parts is how they show airhead white people: some don't know that there are other countries in Latin America besides Mexico, others think that the Rapture - yeah, THAT Rapture - is coming. You might even say that this movie takes the "Left Behind" series and turns it on its head.All in all, a hilarious movie. And I have one question for the anti-immigrant wackos: if you force all immigrants out of the country, will you be willing to pick crops, clean toilets, and do all the rest of the unpleasant work?
kkerr-2
Right now with what's happening in California and Georgia, this is a very timely movie. Sure, it was too long and a little silly, but the economic points hit home with me. I would recommend it. I thought the music was interesting and the take-off on the series, "24" when the Governor is addressing the media was very funny. I wonder what happen to the band leader? The end of the movie is a memorial to him, so I assume that he's passed away. I thought the most real relationship was between the farmer and his best friend and fellow farmer who he ends up leaving his land to, instead of his racist son. The plot twist about the fog was unnecessary, as was the long, long, long camera shots of the glass of water in the sink.
