I figured that most folks would be transforming this weekend and I didn't want to get caught up in the hype, so I decided to take the road less traveled and went and saw The Immigrant. I've seen lots of movies on how my father's ancestors (African-American) got to America, but I really didn't know all that much about my European heritage and what they might have had to go through. So I figured what the heck; I'll go check it out. The film takes place in the early 1920's, right around the time of prohibition. I just want to stop here and say that you know those old pictures that you've seen of your great grandparents (for folks my age) and how rustic they look; well almost the whole film was filmed this way; although every now and then there were subtle splashes of color. Anyway, Ewa Cybulska (Marion Cotillard) arrives at Ellis Island with her sister Magda (Angela Sarafyan) and it is very noticeable that Magda is very sick. The thing is that if you were sick when arriving at Ellis Island, you were quarantined until they figured out what was wrong with you and you got better. Meanwhile, Bruno Weiss (Joaquin Phoenix) has been lurching around the admittance section like a vulture. All of a sudden it has been discovered that there are some scathing rumors that Ewa had done some unquestionable things during her journey across the great pond and she is going to be deported back to Poland. But wait a minute, in swoops the vulture that has been skulking around just in time to save the day. What a coincidence. Anyway, the story takes off from there and I must say that it was not as predictable as I thought it was going to be. I can understand why this film was nominated and won at various film festivals. The story centered on so many human issues including family loyalty, survival, trust, forgiveness, shame, rivalry, sacrifice, I could go on, but it would take all day. I have to say that I did enjoy the film and it was nice to get away from all the larger than life mega-hero movies, but to be honest, I probably will be transforming sometime this weekend. As a side note, my mother's ancestors arrived in America around the same time and I understand that I had a great, great, great uncle that helped carve Mt. Rushmore. Who knew?!?
Review of The Immigrant
