non-ecumenical ramblings

Balseros really doesn't come close to My architect, The Weather Underground, Capturing the Friedmans, or the winner The Fog of War. Even documentaries must have a narrative to be a good film. My architect: A Son's Journey was just that - a son's search for his illegitimate father through Kahn's architecture. The weather underground provided an examination of the 60's through a radical group. Capturing the Friedmans was an examination of the guilt of the 2 Friedmans imprisoned for sexual molestation specifically & in general an indictment of the legal system. The Fog of War was an examination of the Vietnam War, which of course resonated in our current time of war.

Balseros had a compelling subject - Cuban refugees in the 90's - but little focus. The most interesting parts are the rickety rafts & inner tubes used to paddle incredibly over the 90 miles to Florida - just incredible that more refugees did not perish in the journey, but the weakness of the film was its the lack of context & compelling narrative. The stories of the refugees mostly blended together and all were repeats at some level - difficulties leaving Cuba followed by difficulties re-settling in America including difficulties keeping ties to remaining family.

Happy that I've finally seen all 5 nominees - believe overall the best batch ever - but sorry to end with the weakest of the nominated films.