Video Americain

Review

Carlyle evidences the same earthy naturalism he brought to The Full Monty as George, a Glasgow bus driver whose simple act of kindness precipitates an unexpected journey. George is enthralled by Carla (Cabezas, in a mesmerizing performance), a beautiful, impoverished woman with a troubled history. The petty bureaucracy faced by George fades to insignificance compared to the stark horror of Carla's past in her native Nicaragua. They return there together to confront the memories that haunt her sleep. The war zone of 1987 Nicaragua is stark counterpoint to the profound and deeply held affection shared by Carla and her companeros. Director Loach again offers many crystalline moments of human interaction; from a debate on movie dialogue to the full disclosure of Carla's traumatic experiences. A surprising film of power and kind regard for its two main protagonists, each of whom experiences self-discovery and some degree of closure.