Crossing Over (2009)

Crossing Over Poster

Immigrants from around the world enter Los Angeles every day, with hopeful visions of a better life, but little notion of what that life may cost. Their desperate scenarios test the humanity of immigration enforcement officers. In Crossing Over, writer-director Wayne Kramer explores the allure of the American dream, and the reality that immigrants find – and create -- in 21st century L.A.

Plot Summary
"Crossing Over" is a compelling drama film released in 2009 directed by Wayne Kramer and starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, and Ashley Judd. The movie elaborately weaves stories of different characters, exploring the severe realities of immigration in modern Los Angeles.

In the plot, Max Brogan (Harrison Ford) is an experienced Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) representative who comes to grips with his conscience as he handles immigrants of different nationalities. Meanwhile, Brogan's partner Hamid, a naturalized American resident of Iranian descent, is about to witness his household go through the naturalization process simply as his sis displays signs of radicalization.

Simultaneously, Gavin Kossef (Jim Sturgess) is a British artist desperate to acquire legal status so he makes use of the "remarkable alien" provision by pretending to be Jewish. Claire Sheperd (Alice Eve), an Australian ambitious starlet, gets in a dire pact with an immoral migration officer, Cole Frankel (Ray Liotta), trading sexual favours for a green card.

All the while, a migration attorney, Denise Frankel (Ashley Judd), manages a case of a Nigerian orphan, Taslima Jahangir (Summer Bishil), who faces deportation after reading a politically delicate essay in her school.

Key Themes and Messages
"Crossing Over" is a riveting kaleidoscope of interlinking stories that portray the desperate level individuals go to for a look of the American Dream. It dives deep into the heart-wrenching battle of immigrants who fight language barriers, exploitation, cultural shifts, legal systems, and personal guilt.

One substantial style is the battle of the characters to keep their personal and cultural identities amidst the mayhem and harsh realities of immigration. It brings to light the corrupt practices and incorrect abuse of power within the migration system and highlights the vulnerability of immigrants.

The grey locations of morality are best illustrated by Harrison Ford's character, an immigration police who carries out the law with humane compassion. His partner on the other hand tries to embrace his American identity over Iranian roots while dealing with a family crisis rooted basically in culture.

Important Analysis
The film, while thought-provoking, has actually been criticized for its narrative method and the way it handles the problem of migration. Some critics named the movie as a negative representation of immigrants and argued that it failed to totally delve into the intricacies of the immigrant experience.

Nevertheless, the performance of the ensemble cast, especially Ford, Liotta and Judd has actually been considerably appreciated. Their portrayal of characters captured in the maelstrom of immigration concerns has actually been extensively admired. Despite the criticisms, "Crossing Over" has been acknowledged as an attempt to shed light on the darker side of the immigration procedure, provoking its audience to contemplate migration from a more nuanced point of view.

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