Watch Smuggled

Smuggled is an independent film from 2012 that takes the viewer on a reflective journey as it follows the story of a Filipino family attempting to enter the United States of America illegally. The story is told from the viewpoint of Mark, the eldest son of the family, who was born in the United States but had to leave the country with his family when he was young.

The movie starts with the family getting ready to go on a boat to cross the border from Mexico to America. They are being helped by a smuggler who has connections on both sides of the border. The family consists of the parents, Lorna and Dario, their youngest son, and Mark's pregnant girlfriend, Ling. The family has to be very careful and cannot attract attention to themselves because they do not have the necessary documents. Their desire to reach America is so strong because of the opportunities it presents, but also because it is where Mark was born and where he hopes to make a better life for his family.

As the family travels, we are given a glimpse into their close-knit relationships, their struggles, and their dreams. Mark is torn between the guilt he feels for leaving his grandmother behind, his longing for his birthplace, and his new-found love for Ling. The journey is full of obstacles, and danger lurks around every corner. They have to evade the border patrol, stay hidden, find places to rest, find food, and avoid any trouble that could result in them being detained or deported. The tension mounts as they encounter things like a roadblock that nearly results in the family being discovered and a pregnant Ling struggling with the physical demands of the journey.

Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks of Mark's life in the United States and the reasons why he and his family had to leave. We also see the struggles that the family currently faces and why the decision to illegally cross the border was made. The film does an excellent job of showing the motivations of the characters without being overtly preachy or judgemental. The plotline is aided by excellent acting by the actors, who bring out the nuances of their characters.

The cinematography is also praise-worthy. Shot mostly on a handheld camera, there is an intimacy to the film that creates a sense of immediacy and urgency. The director, first-time feature film director, Ramon Hamilton, displays his talents in capturing the family's vulnerability and strength while still maintaining the tension of the plotline.

Smuggled is a film about strength, resilience, and hope in the face of harrowing circumstances. The film shows the realities of life for many immigrants who risk everything to seek a better life for themselves and their families. It is a poignant reminder of the human cost of immigration policies that fail to account for the struggles of people around the world.

The movie's power lies in its ability to transcend geography and nationality and to tell a story that touches us all. The director achieves a remarkable feat by telling a universal story through very specific characters, the Filipino family at the heart of the story. The themes it explores are nuanced and relevant, and the movie is a must-see for anyone wanting to understand the human cost of immigration.

In conclusion, Smuggled is a well-written, well-acted, and expertly directed movie that will leave an indelible impression on you long after the credits have rolled. It's a movie that is both timely and timeless, tackling issues that continue to be of great significance in our current political and cultural climate. The movie is a reminder that behind every illegal immigrant, there is a human story, full of fears, hopes, and dreams.

Smuggled is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.