A vivid depiction of the struggle and the journey some take upon them ... for a better life. Words that meant nothing aside (from the 45th president of the USA),this is a struggle that is real. A struggle that may make you realize that there are humans involved.
A tough movie to watch (mainly because of its slow pacing, but also because of what it reveals from and about its main characters). Almost told like a documentary, the movie lets us follow the characters on their journey (or revisit it) ... both quite literally. The images will haunt some (many I assume),especially the faint hearted.
If you think your life is hard, try to walk in their shoes ... pun somewhat intended.
99% - Critics
86% - Audience
7.3Plot summary
Months after Jesús (Juan Jesús Varela) set out on foot for the U.S. with a friend from their rural town in Guanajuato, Magdalena (Mercedes Hernandez) has lost contact with her beloved adolescent son. Determined to unravel his fate, Magdalena soon finds herself in over her head, entangled in an expansive crime syndicate and labyrinth of disorienting lies on an increasingly surreal journey to uncover the truth. At the mercy of those with the power and courage to help her find closure, Magdalena's path fortuitously converges with that of Miguel (David Illescas),a young man not unlike her son Jesús, returning from U.S. deportation. Ensconced within the realm of magical-realism while exhibiting remarkable restraint, IDENTIFYING FEATURES is an impressive, symbolic re-imagining of a culture adrift and seeking spiritual reunification. Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Audience and Screenplay Awards at the Sundance Film Festival.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 911.42 MB
1280*536
Spanish 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
Border(line)
Reviewed by
TOO SLOW.
A story well shot and told, but far too long and slow. The cinematography is excellent, and Valadez's direction and choice of close-ups, angles, blurs, etc, make it feel like your are walking in the mother's shoes.
Reviewed by
Cinema Omnivore - Identifying Features (2020) 7.3/10
"Valadez proves herself that she has snap in her formulation, yet IDENTIFYING FEATURES is hindered by a far-fetched coda, designed to shock and awe (there is no logic to connect the actions),but it doesn't sit well with the film's precedent tonality and in particular, Magdalena's fortitude, whom Hernández consistently portrays with profuse sympathy to spare. In the end, Magdalena's effort feels squandered, if evil can simply crop up apropos of nothing, the weight of her journey is dissipated since hitherto locality has been the kernel of Valadez's construct, the disjuncture between style and form is a common contretemps for a new director, it leaves a bathetic feeling, nonetheless, we should still give a shout-out to Valadez for making a statement on her own terms."
read my full review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks.