Border Man

Author(s): Pat
Location: NY

"Border Man"

Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Written by Guillermo Arriaga
Music by Gustavo Santaolalla
Cinematography by Rodrigo Prierto
Produced by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Brad Pitt, Steven Soderbergh

Main Cast

Tom Berenger (Dennis Fourman)
Maribel Verdu (Rosa Rodriguez)
William Petersen (Kenny Jackson)
Richard Roundtree (Davis Montgomery)
Kate Burton (Olivia Jackson)
Diego Luna (Alberto Juarez)
Dario Grandinetti (Benito Alverez)
Gary Sinise (James Schlosnck)
Jeanne Tripplehorn (Miranda Fourman)

Tagline: "In the land where law and order rule over everything, one secret will shatter it all"

Synopsis: The acclaimed team behind “Amores Perros” and “Babel” creates a story about love that knows no borders, literally. Dennis Fourman (Tom Berenger) is a Border Patrol officer in New Mexico who has just been given a new assignment by his boss (Richard Roundtree) to root out illegal immigrants who have been transporting heroin in their thighs across the border. Alverez (Dario Grandinetti), the Mexican drug lord, becomes aware of the sting and is forced to send his own girlfriends when he runs out of willing illegals. He sends Rosa (Maribel Verdu), who evades the Border Patrol but gets lost in the desert only to be found two days later by Dennis, who takes her into his own care for two reasons, one being the infected wound in her thigh and the other being his attraction to the girl. They begin a torrid, yet illegal, love affair that comes under scrutiny by Dennis’ ex-wife (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and a DEA agent (Gary Sinise), who suspects that Dennis is aiding Alverez. Things get worse when Dennis loyal partner with an alcohol problem, Kenny (William Petersen), also becomes suspicious of his best friend at the request of his overbearing wife (Kate Burton). Alverez soon gets wind of the affair and sends an assassin (Diego Luna) to take out Dennis and bring Rosa back to him. Dennis’ world seems to be coming to a crashing halt but he does not want to end his relationship with Rosa. He loves her too much. “Border Man” is a moving tale of love and the law under the desert sun.

What the Press would say:

After critical successes like “Babel” and “21 Grams”, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Guillermo Arriaga sculpted a new movie about life in the Mexican desert in “Border Man”, the story of a Border Patrol officer who falls in love with an illegal immigrant he was supposed to turn over to the DEA. Arriaga’s masterful script and Inarritu’s golden standard directing offer up a film that breaks all barriers and manages to twist the viewer’s hearts and minds in a way that has never been experienced on screen. Tom Berenger stands out in the comeback performance of the year as the title character. His subtle performance as a desperate man with a secret breaks your hearts, especially in the film’s tragic climax as his character faces demise. Maribel Verdu plays his lover in a truly sympathetic role that slowly becomes villainous as her character manipulates the Border Man to satisfy her desires. Dario Grandinetti of Almodovar’s “Habla con ella” is exceptionally evil as the drug lord who wants his girlfriend back and will do whatever it takes to get her back. But the true emotional power comes from Kate Burton and William Petersen, who play friends of Berenger’s character who slowly become aware of his affair and decide to use it as leverage to get more power. Burton excels as the master manipulator and Petersen shines as an alcoholic trying to choose between love and loyalty. “Border Man” is one of the best films in years and deserves as much awards attention as it can get.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Tom Berenger
Best Supporting Actor-Dario Grandinetti
Best Supporting Actor-William Petersen
Best Supporting Actress-Kate Burton
Best Supporting Actress-Maribel Verdu