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The Milagro Beanfield War on DVD (1987)

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Average rating: 63%
95201410
3.0
from 175 members
 
Starring: Ruben Blades, Richard Bradford, Sonia Braga, Julie Carmen, James Gammon
Director: Robert Redford
Studio: UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK
Run time: 113 mins
Certificate: 15
User collections: Keepers, Izzy's Eclectic Really Worth Watching List
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Released: 21/02/2005

Brief synopsis of The Milagro Beanfield War

Nothing has changed in Milagro, New Mexico, for 300 years. Then, one day, Joe Mondragon kicks the off-limits community water pipe and begins to irrigate the cracked, dry ground that was once his father's beanfield. The developers of a new luxury recreation area--which is sure to force the natives away--are none too pleased by Joe's actions, and a culture clash ensues between Milagro's colourful, quirky residents and the authorities. The film is based on the novel by John Nichols.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

With Quiz Show and Ordinary People, former heart-throb Robert Redford revealed himself to be one of America's finest directors of actors. Here he proves adept at handling a large ensemble cast in this adaptation of John Nichols's whimsical novel about a New Mexican farmer (Chick Vennera), who deflects water from a housing development to start his own beanfield. Watch out for Melanie Griffith, John Heard and Christopher Walken, enjoy Dave Grusin's Oscar-winning score, and don't be put off by that title.

Time Out

A New Mexican handyman (Vennera), by a mix of magical intervention and carelessness, kicks down the sluice gate of a... Read more on www.timeout.com

Halliwell's Film Guide

Serious issues treated with quirky humour and visual lyricism.

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsFull o'beans

MICHAEL BOOTH from Liverpool , 10/11/2006

A war erupts in Milagro when the locally grown legumes cause an unpresidented bout of flatulence amongst the townsfolk. Tempers are frayed following a methane explosion in the town plaza, leaving devastation in its wake.

It pleases me to report that this ingenious script has been executed with aplomb.

Whilst the story is essentially grounded in agronomy, there is plenty of action to keep things moving along. At times, it almost slips imperceptibly into feeling like a Heinz Spaghetti Western, with the central issue of the beans fading into the background.

As for the cast, many feel that by this stage of his career, Robert Redford was a has-bean but I take issue with this. He acquits himself nicely, and provides gravitas to a difficult central role, making this a highly watchable movie overall.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsMilagro Beanfield War

A customer from UK , 08/05/2005

This early Redford direction is a delightful movie- quixotic, subtle and warmly human. A simple plot but thought- provoking- issues of living in a community and roles and responsibilities within that community. My favourite aspect is the range of cameos- some very evocative performances. Cinematography and sound track creative and artistic- typical Redford!

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsnot the best robert redford film

A customer from n.ireland , 11/05/2006

in my opinion this isn't a great film, there are a few comic moments, but it's more or less the same old story about the small guy against the rich and ruthless corp. another sour note is in the casting, where the protagonist is supposed to be mexican, or of mexican origins, but it has a very strong new york accent which puts him immediately out of place. not recommended.

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Rated - 4 starssuperb film

Badgero from Farnham , 03/11/2005

As good as I remember it. Directed by Robert Redford it didn't get much attention from Hollywood because of the lack of big names but it is not needed. The story is excellent (Van Damme did similar in Nowhere to Run) and the acting is top notch. I recommended this for comedy, family and drama - watch it and you will not be disappointed. Massively recommended

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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starssuperb film

Badgero from Farnham , 03/11/2005

As good as I remember it. Directed by Robert Redford it didn't get much attention from Hollywood because of the lack of big names but it is not needed. The story is excellent (Van Damme did similar in Nowhere to Run) and the acting is top notch. I recommended this for comedy, family and drama - watch it and you will not be disappointed. Massively recommended

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