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Reviews
The Mexican Dream (2003)
Movies that matter
Director Milos Forman once said that "Everyone is from two countries: their own and the United States." It's no surprise that people the world over identify with the American Dream, seeing as the global pop culture machine reproduces images of an ideal America. In this celluloid utopia, few problems exist, wealth abounds and life is easy.
In The Mexican Dream, Hernandez contrasts Ajileo's dreams of life on the other side with the reality of being an immigrant. This opposition finds expression throughout, but perhaps most eloquently in an extended sequence early in the film. The image shifts to a top/bottom split screen, the top showing Hollywood Boulevard and the bottom Ajileo and the coyote still in Mexico. On top, a disappointed Ajileo scans the famous names on the Hollywood Stars. At bottom, Ajileo asks the coyote about getting acting roles in Hollywood to which the latter responds: "The only role you are going to play is... The Super Washing Man! You are gonna be washing cars, washing dishes, washing gringos' asses!"
As his calling card, The Mexican Dream tells us a lot about what kinds of movies Hernandez would like to make. His short has humor and charm, a good story and a social critique to boot. But you'll never confuse The Mexican Dream with art cinema. Hernandez wants to make movies that matter, but that appeal to large numbers of people. His vision doesn't run counter to Hollywood's, but instead speaks to the best things in it.
Rather than shun entertainment value, he embraces it, but adds that making audiences reflect on his work makes it more worthwhile. As entertainment and food for thought, The Mexican Dream makes a mighty good start.