The Milagro Bean Field War (1988)
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59% of critics liked it
(27 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(3,397 ratings)
It's advisable to know from the beginning of The Milagro Beanfield War that "milagro" is the Spanish word for "miracle." The scene is a rundown Hispanic community in New Mexico, bordering a posh housing development. In full control of the local water rights, the… More It's advisable to know from the beginning of The Milagro Beanfield War that "milagro" is the Spanish word for "miracle." The scene is a rundown Hispanic community in New Mexico, bordering a posh housing development. In full control of the local water rights, the powers-that-be are secure in the belief that they'll be able to expand their development without resistance from the locals. No one can foresee that impoverished farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera), during a burst of frustrated rage, will accidentally open a heretofore hidden sluice, thereby providing free water for his bean field. At first, the locals are against Mondragon's "insurrection," reasoning that the new housing development will provide jobs. But with the help of Charlie Bloom (John Heard), a burned-out '60s activist who now runs the community newspaper, Mondragon becomes the hero of the hour, the spiritual leader of an ever-growing "no development" movement. The evil land developers send their minions to intimidate or coerce Mondragon; each time, however, he is seemingly protected from harm by divine intervention. When Mondragon is forced to shoot a trespasser on his land, it looks as though his luck has run out. Chased into the hills by private detective Kyril Montana (Christopher Walken), Mondragon is once more rescued in the nick of time by what appears to be a miracle. And there are more wonders to behold before fade-out time!Whimsical, yes, but thanks to its hand-picked ensemble cast (including Sonia Braga, Rubén Blades, James Gammon, Daniel Stern, Freddy Fender, M. Emmet Walsh, and Melanie Griffith) the film remains totally credible throughout. Adapted by John Nichols and David Ward from Nichols' own novel, The Milagro Beanfield War may be the most likeable "liberal-tract" film of the 1980s. Robert Redford's appropriately Capraesque direction is matched by Dave Grusin's vibrant Oscar-winning musical score. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Redford
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Mar 18, 1988 Wide
- On DVD
- May 31, 2005
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Redford and company have put a quirky twist on the material, investing it with a quasi-mystical aspect as well as some raw comedy.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fairly choked with good intentions, whimsy, touches of fantasy, and cardboard liberal stereotypes.
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Wally Hammond, Time Out
Redford's film sustains a slow mood of simpatico amiability and photographs the landscape with moony or golden washes that are perhaps hard to dislike, but is slain by its adherence to an outdated populist mythology.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
The film is very big on sunsets and sunrises. It also has a touristy appreciation for all manner of things folkloric. What it doesn't have is dramatic coherence or backbone.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Corny, you bet. But that's to be admired in an old war horse on the last frontier.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Ruben Blades
as Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
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Richard Bradford
as Ladd Devine
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Sonia Braga
as Ruby Archuleta
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Julie Carmen
as Nancy Mondragon
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James Gammon
as Horse Thief Shorty
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John Heard
as Charlie Bloom
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Melanie Griffith
as Flossie Devine
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Carlos Riquelme
as Amarante Cordova
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Daniel Stern
as Herbie Platt
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Chick Vennera
as Joe Mondragon
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Christopher Walken
as Kyril Montana
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Freddy Fender
as Mayor Sammy Cantu
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Robert Carricart
as Coyote Angel
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M. Emmet Walsh
as The Governor
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Tony Genaro
as Nick Rael
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Jerry Hardin
as Emerson Capps
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Mike Gomez
as Milagro Townsperson
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Basil Hoffman
as Governor's Office Staff
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Ronald G. Joseph
as Jerry G
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Fredrick Lopez
as Milagro Townsperson
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Olga Merediz
as Milagro Townsperson
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Alberto Morin
as Senile Brigade
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Trinidad Silva
as Milagro Townsperson
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Natividad Vacio
as Senile Brigade
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Sam Vlahos
as Governor's Office Staff
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Ronald C. Frazier
as Governor's Office Staff
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Mario Arrambide
as Carl
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China Bell
as Devine's Friend
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Patricio Chavez
as Devine's Friend
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Tom Connor
as Dancing Angel
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Margo Cutler
as Devine's Friend
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Rudy Fernandez
as Milagro Townsperson
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Juanita Nicholas
as Devine's Friend
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Gene Ornales
as Governor's Office Staff
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Frederico Roberto
as Senile Brigade
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Nat Shipman
as Devine's Friend
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Eric Treisman
as Devine's Friend
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Pablo Trujillo
as Senile Brigade
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Eloy Vigil
as Senile Brigade
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Lynda Witz
as Governor's Office Staff
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Philip L. Mead
as Governor's Office Staff
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Jimmy Martinez
as Milagro Townsperson
