American Flyer

First off a total disclaimer. I know nobody associated with this film. Furthermore I had never heard of it before this week.

I found this movie posted in a Usenet newsgroup and after reading the plot at IMDb I decided to give it a go. Although a gringo I have spent almost my entire life near the border at Tijuana.

I am particularly partial to independent movies made with love and care. With small budgets some filmmakers craft interesting and even surprisingly good films because they have a story to tell and are dedicated to a vision of how to deliver it.

The plot is rather simple. A good boy from a poor part of Mexico arrives in Tijuana hoping to earn enough money to cross the border into the United States "and become rich". It is not without problems but he survives in the big city because he is a good boy with ideals and is easy to like.

Without going into the story, he becomes enmeshed with a corrupt Tijuana police official. Will he make it to the U.S. safely? A raucous finish to the film makes this movie especially enjoyable.

If you have any background with the plight of Mexicans you will understand this movie and be rooting for the boy.