"Bread and Roses"

United Kingdom, 2000
U.S. Release Date: 5/11/01 (LA), 5/18/01 (limited)
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: R

Cast: Pilar Padilla, Adrien Brody, Elpidia Carrillo, Jack McGee, George Lopez, Alonso Chavez, Monica Rivas, Frankie Davila
Director: Ken Loach
Producer: Rebecca O'Brien
Screenplay: Paul Laverty
Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd
Music: George Fenton
U.S. Distributor: Lions Gate Films
In English and Spanish with subtitles

Bread and Roses is not a film you come across on a regular basis, and I’m pleased I happened to stubble upon it this past week.

The film is based on two sisters who have come across the border from Mexico to create a new life in Los Angeles, in an immigrant community. The first sister, Rosa has been living in Los Angeles with her ill husband, working excessive hours as a janitor to pay rising medical bills. Eventually Rosa is able to save some money to pay someone to bring her sister Maya from Mexico to LA. However, as Maya is brought across the border, Rosa is unable to provide the full amount of money that was agreed upon. To compensate Rosa’s short-comings, Maya uses her body.

Soon after, Maya escapes. She and her sister are reunited and they proceed to make a living for themselves as janitors in the same building. Rosa continues to have financial problems and when there is talk of creating a union for the workers in the building she is against it – for fear she will lose her job. Maya sees things differently, believing that a union will only be beneficial. This creates major conflict between the two sisters that plays out with emotions running high.

What I really appreciated about this film was the way the characters were able to practically reach out of the screen and demand emotion from its audience. I think that films are much more successful when the audience is able to make a connection with the characters of the story – Bread and Roses exemplifies this. As an added bonus, the cinematography also made the film very realistic and interesting to watch through the use of simple angles, shots and handheld cameras.

I enjoyed this film for the human emotion and the elements of this film were well put together. It may not be an “in your face” Blockbuster, but Bread and Roses is a drama that will evoke emotion and (in my opinion) stand as a success.

Personal Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Further information can be found at IMDb.com