| Bread and Roses |
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| Rating: Good Distributor: Lions Gate Films MPAA Rating: R Release Date: May 11th, 2001 (very limited), progressively wider in subsequent weeks Running Length: 1 hour, 50 minutes Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction Director: Ken Loach Cast: Pilar Padilla, Adrien Brody, Elpidia Carrillo, George Lopez, Jack McGee, and Alonso Chavez. |
| Plot: An illegal immigrant named Maya (Pilar Padilla), comes to the United States and works as a janitor. She lives in Los Angeles, and works for the same company her sister works at, in the same occupation. In order to succeed in her work, Maya finds she has to rely on unpleasant methods. Yet, she later finds her sister has done more unpleasant things than Maya could have ever imagine doing herself. As the conditions of the janitor workplace become increasingly unbearable a young idealist, Sam (Adrien Brody), appeals to many of the janitors. He talks of the need to unionize, and the possibility of striking. Maya is particularly enchanted with Sam, as he has a dream that she respects and agrees with. Together the janitor's attempt to better their wages, benefits, and working hours. This film was a fictional account of a real incident a few years ago. |
| Critique: Bread and Roses is brimming with thoughtful sensitivity, and its characters are utterly convincing. The plight of the protagonist is heartfelt, and well written. Moreover, Ken Loach delivers his product with smooth efficiency, and screenwriter Paul Laverty creates some truly powerful character interactions and speeches. These scenes include: Sam's speech to the janitors during their strike, and a terribly sad confrontation between the two sisters towards the film's finish. Indeed, the film is pensive and reflective, even when its politics are obvious. It is a consistently affecting and involving motion picture, with assured storytelling. Although, the film expresses the viewpoint of its filmmaker, there are many different ways to observe the characters and the film as a whole. One can still form his opinion of the wonderfully real characters. The characters are presented by actors giving stunning performances. Bread and Roses does have its weaknesses though. At many times during the film's duration it is void of details; often the film feels vague and a little lost. The film perseveres because of its genuine characters, and emotional conflicts. The story is always engaging, and even though the outcome is known, there is a certain degree of suspense. Bread and Roses is at its best with its dialogue, as Laverty writes some vivid and touching interactions. Ken Loach has crafted an honest, straight forward film, with some relatively minor flaws. The film depicts carefuly etched characters that can viewed in many different ways. These characters are real becuase they are not all good or all bad. Bread and Roses is a very worthwhile motion picture. review by supernothingman |