Another Review and Movie Summary by Michael The Moviegoer.
Crossing Over “Crash Course”
Rating: ***
You might think that a drama about immigration into the U.S. that is called “Crossing Over” and is set almost entirely in Los Angeles would deal exclusively with border issues between California and Mexico. But Wayne Kramer’s film follows the formula of Paul Haggis’ Oscar-winning “Crash” in that there are multiple inter-connecting stories and characters all dealing with very different immigration matters.
There’s Jim Sturgess as a Jewish immigrant from England. There’s Alice Eve as an Australian hoping to become a movie star in Hollywood without legal status to work there. Then there’s the tale of a Korean teenager becoming involved with gangs and talked into committing armed robbery only hours before taking his oath for citizenship. Finally, and perhaps the film’s most emotional story, there is a teenage Muslim girl who jeopardizes her family’s immigration status by speaking out in support of the 9/11 terrorists for a school project. With all this going on, Mexican border issues are treated almost as an afterthought.
Harrison Ford spends most of his screen time talking on a cell phone. The movie is being marketed like it’s a Ford action picture, but he is actually the least memorable character in the film.
Although highly unlikely, there is an Oscar-calibre performance by newcomer Alice Eve who is trapped into having an affair with an applications adjudicator played by Ray Liotta. Just because the film seems to be quickly crossing over to DVD shelves, somebody should make sure that the acting branch of The Academy sees this performance come Oscar campaign season. Alice Eve comes across like Kate Winslet mixed with Amy Adams. I do believe there is an Oscar nomination in her future.
DVD Watch: “Crash” does a much better job of weaving together multiple characters and stories about racial tensions as part of life in Los Angeles. It feels real, while the effect in “Crossing Over” sometimes feels forced. Interesting to note that Mark Isham composed the score to both films.
Michael The Moviegoer
