Gatekeeper (2002)

52% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
18% of users liked it
(589 ratings)

Adam Fields (John Carlos Frey, who also wrote, directed, and produced the film) is a law enforcement agent patrolling the Mexican border outside San Diego. He's harboring two dangerous secrets. His bosses don't know that he belongs to a racist, right wing vigilante group called National Patrol, that… More Adam Fields (John Carlos Frey, who also wrote, directed, and produced the film) is a law enforcement agent patrolling the Mexican border outside San Diego. He's harboring two dangerous secrets. His bosses don't know that he belongs to a racist, right wing vigilante group called National Patrol, that harasses and assaults illegals as they try to cross the border. His confederates in the National Patrol don't know that his own mother is Mexican. Adam, who easily passes for Caucasian, doesn't tell anyone about his mother, a former prostitute. Frustrated with the border patrol's efforts to curtail border crossings, Adam and the shock jock leader of National Patrol, Jack Green (J. Patrick McCormack), come up with a scheme to embarrass the border patrol into taking their concerns more seriously. Adam will go undercover as a Mexican and cross the border into the states to show how easy it is, while capturing everything on a hidden video camera. Adam pays to be brought over, but once in the U.S., the scheme goes horribly awry, and Adam winds up stuck with a hapless group of illegals, forced to work for ruthless criminals at a crystal meth lab. Unable to escape, he gets a firsthand look at the hardships the illegal immigrants endure. Frey tried to sell his script for The Gatekeeper to a Hollywood studio, but, unwilling to compromise his vision, eventually decided to finance the film himself. The Gatekeeper was shown at the 2002 Urbanworld Film Festival and at the 2002 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it won the Phoenix Award. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: John Carlos Frey
Written By: John Carlos Frey
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Mar 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Oct 12, 2004
Studio: Universal Studios Home Video

Critic Reviews

Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
The movie never rises above mediocrity and at times, devolves into amateurish histrionics.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
A heavy-handed immigration melodrama.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
Though the film is far from polished, the force of its significance to Mr. Frey, as well as the urgency of its political message, give it some genuine impact.
Joshua Land, Village Voice
The truly hellish portrayal of the workers' post-crossing indentured servitude in a meth lab makes up for a sluggish opening act.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
This deeply personal work steadily grows more powerful and eloquent, creating a tragic vision of the plight of illegal aliens that transcends its melodramatic elements.
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
It's a movie you want to like, but its sometimes laughably bad execution makes that difficult.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Despite its flaws, The Gatekeeper will keep you engaged.
Jules Brenner, Filmcritic.com
The film would be destined for limited interest even if it had a good script, which it didn't.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While his instincts as a director could use some sharpening, Frey's performance and script, brought to life by a solid supporting cast, are both uncommonly smart.
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
Suffers from a condition that afflicts most 'message' movies -- heavy-handed preachiness.
Jon Strickland, L.A. Weekly
This earnest, shoestring indie that makes use of some sharp location shooting and sympathetic performances to rise above its often awkward staging and writing.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
A commendable effort that draws attention to a largely invisible problem.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
A very personal and heartfelt film, if one that shows the strains of its low budget and strident desire to tell an Important Story.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Surprisingly vigorous and emotionally wrenching.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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