The Boatman is a 2015 independent film directed by Greg Morgan and starring Oscar Torre, Noemi Dunbar, and Yvonne Delarosa. The movie offers a mix of drama, mystery, and action as it tells the story of a Mexican immigrant who became a smuggler in the United States-Mexico border. Miguel (Oscar Torre) is no ordinary smuggler. He is a retiree, living a more comfortable life than any other smuggler in the area. His luxurious house is equipped with high-end entertainment systems, and he owns a swamp boat that he uses to ferry people, money, drugs, and weapons across the Rio Grande. Miguel is older than the other smugglers, and he is also wiser. He has seen his fair share of violence and death along the border, and he has become disillusioned by the never-ending cycle of poverty, crime, and greed in both Mexico and the USA.
One day, Miguel is asked to smuggle a pregnant woman and her young daughter to the USA. The woman, Marisol (Noemi Dunbar), is a fellow Mexican and desperate to escape her abusive husband and start a new life in America. Miguel agrees to help her, but he doesn't know that the woman and her daughter are not the only passengers he will be carrying across the river that night. A group of dangerous criminals, led by a sadistic kingpin named Santana (Carlos Montilla), is also on board, carrying a large shipment of drugs and guns. Miguel soon finds himself caught in the crossfire between Marisol and Santana.
As the boat journey unfolds, we get to know more about Miguel's past and his inner struggles. We learn that Miguel was once a humble farmer who lived with his wife and daughter in a small village in Mexico. He moved to the US to give his family a better life, but tragedy struck when his daughter was killed by a stray bullet fired by the Border Patrol. This incident changed Miguel's outlook on life, and he turned to smuggling as a way to cope with his grief and rage. Miguel's story is a poignant one, and Oscar Torre portrays him with great depth and empathy.
Noemi Dunbar is equally impressive as Marisol. She plays the character with strength, vulnerability, and grace. Marisol is a survivor, but she is also a kind-hearted woman who cares for her daughter and the people around her. Yvonne Delarosa, who plays Marisol's daughter, is a cute and charming presence in the movie. She adds a touch of innocence to the otherwise tense and violent narrative.
The Boatman is not an easy film to watch. It deals with heavy themes such as immigration, domestic violence, drug trafficking, corruption, and death. The boat journey is rife with tension, suspense, and sudden bursts of violence. The cinematography by Mark Stolaroff captures the beauty and ugliness of the border in equal measure. The music by Frederik Wiedmann is haunting and mournful, perfectly complementing the somber tone of the film.
One of the strengths of The Boatman is its refusal to simplify the complex issues it tackles. The movie does not offer easy solutions or stereotypes. It portrays the border as a place of contradictions, where good and evil, hope and desperation, coexist. It presents the characters as flawed and multi-dimensional, refusing to judge them or glamorize their actions. The film also raises questions about the role of the US government in perpetuating the violence and poverty along the border.
In conclusion, The Boatman is an excellent independent movie that deserves more recognition. It is a gripping, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant work that stays with you long after the credits roll. The film showcases the talents of all involved, from the director to the actors to the production crew. It is one of those rare films that manage to entertain, educate, and inspire at the same time.
The Boatman is a 2015 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.
