Paul Mazursky has worked with so many greats in his extensive filmography, but you would have to reach far to top this group for crazy laughter, great gauging humor, and the translation of an old tale told extremely well! Method is what you will get from Raul Julia here, he (Julia) simply takes this role and runs with a brisk, snappy style that this (normally dry) role really needs. Also pulling it off are Dreyfuss and Braja as victims of circumstance, and they pull it off to exhaustion! Dreyfuss can feel this role and that is apparent, he seemed to have a great time with this and in doing so, was magnificent and very funny. Jonathan Winters will surprise you in his brief stints, but he is also quite effective. Mazursky makes you laugh, sympathize, and laugh again to finish off this cute film that is well worth seeing, even if you only go to see the Mazursky cameo (President Simms disgustingly precocious mother) "You Swine"
Reviews
2 Reviews
The Milagro Beanfield War
(1988)
A Quiet, Magical Masterpiece
5 February 2004
Beautiful film from (then very fresh) director Robert Redford. This film depicts the epic struggle between good and evil with some very nice twists. Excellent roles that were handled well by Ruben Blades, Sonia Braga, James Gammon, and a host of many other great characters that were depicted quite well. Chris Walken presents to us the governmental enforcer to a sheer tee. Richard Bradford (joined by Melanie Griffith) also gives us the perfect "fat cat" & (his) band of bad guys that are trying to hoard an already conspicuous pipeline of water through a dry valley near the Mexican border when one of the (near povertied) residents of Milagro makes a grave, yet somehow worthy mistake. Milagro is a community inhabited by crazy townfolk, idealistic views, & even a familiar face (Freddy Fender) as town mayor. Get ready for ghosts, legends, and an inspiring story and cast that will keep you smiling, thinking, and loving this film for many years to come! *A grammy won that year for the haunting soundtrack was also quite well deserved.
Tell Your Friends