The River and the Wall

This is a very important film and it is not a political film at all. There are real solutions when people problem solve together, especially those that actually live there.

This documentary introduces viewers to the complexities of building a physical wall along the Rio Grande River - the actual border between Mexico and Texas. It provides a realistic, yet objective study of the current and proposed walls. It explores how a concrete and steel barrier could destroy dramatic landforms and precious habitat for wildlife, while also creating untenable conditions for the farmers and ranchers who live along this river. This stunning work captures the beauty of the Rio Grande River as it winds through vast canyons and lush semi-tropical vegetation. By also presenting the views of the Americans who actually live and work along the river, it provides a tremendous service to educate the public about the true impact such a structure would have on this vital magnificent river.

It could have been so much more. Instead it slid into one-sided propaganda about illegal immigration and the Trump administration, and that's going to be a political commercial and not going to change minds and opinions about how best to protect the border.

What happens when five youthful, naive, optimistic people take a thousand mile adventure through rugged South Texas border wilderness? Well, you get some terrific footage of wild country and Western desert, which I love and appreciate as a lifetime South-Westerner. You also get endless preaching about how the southern border of the USA just cannot be spoiled by walls, fencing, or physical deterrents because it will ruin the environment and harm all the animals. This docu/program/propaganda shows zero footage of the filth and ruination of major stretches of desert lands by the steady tromp of illegal aliens and drug runners. Nor does it happen to show one incident of illegal aliens, or drug cartels sneaking across, which is odd, as that is an hourly occurrence in every southern border state. So if you are fine with a one-sided, child-like, Docu-Ganda telling you that enforcing US border security would be pretty much the end of the world for most of the ecology in the Southwest, while not achieving the goal for which its intended, then shut down your rational brain and enjoy the liberal sh** show.

The cinematography is as beautiful as the land and the river. It's an engrossing look at the place and the habitat, going far beyond what words can convey. This picture of the place, the river, the land, the plants, the animals, the weather -- that's the great strength of the film. The river and the adjacent lands and people are the stars of this film. Embedding these in a journey provides a strong framework. About half the film is spent on political preaching and talking heads, overlapping. I'm totally in agreement with the sermon, but no one else's mind is likely to be changed. I'd have kept the focus on nature, which I think brings more understanding to the table. Perhaps I knew too much already -- friends who are normally sensitive to preaching weren't as bothered. Go to see it and enjoy it, but go prepared to tune out the political preaching unless you are one of the rare undecided birds or need to study the issues further.

This was a beautifully shot piece of socialist propaganda. You can't build a wall, because they like having free access to another sovereign country's land dammit! I mean look at us.. we are swimming in water and laughing and playing heartwarming music in the background. What more could you ask to leave the border wide open? These people have feelings! I'm sick of these puff pieces full of questionable science and no legal or substance based argument of any kind.

This was a beautiful documentary, with a great message. There is a lot of insisting that a boarder wall would solve the United States problems, the doc goes into how a large structure like the wall would really be a pain in the ass, and more of a problem than what it's worth. But the doc isn't all about politics it also has large chunks of the doc with great nature and wildlife footage bundled in.

Part of me has been on the fence about the giant immigration problems dominating the news over the last few months. But seeing this movie has literally opened my eyes. The vistas and panoramic shots left me gasping in my theater seat and by the way DO NOT watch this on a phone or computer. Go to a theater and see it large. Everybody has an agenda, and most of the people in front of TV cameras these days are shouting and gesticulating about theirs. Here is a lower key, rational, thoughtful and emotionally careful presentation that does not try to be authoritative or have the last word. It asks you to think and reflect and accept.