BBC- The film is filled with affection for the land - it was shot partly on Jones' own West Texas ranch - and a clear-eyed view of the relationship between America and Mexico; the affluent bully exploiting its poor neighbour (although even on an allegorical level it retains a pleasing ambiguity). There is also a terrific sense for small lives filled with frustration and the inherent First World racism that says life only really matters if it is White. The notoriously gruff Jones would no doubt dismiss such talk as guff and maybe he would be right. Whatever: this gripping film about real people is well-worth excavating.
Director(s): Tommy Lee Jones Writer(s): Guillermo Arriaga Cast: Tommy Lee Jones Barry Pepper Julio Cedillo Dwight Yoakam January Jones Release Date: 2005   Keyword: cowboy executes dead friend's will to be burried in Mexico + his murderer Target Age: 11+ Category: human rights Documentary: no Language: English Reviewer's Name: John Arnold