Before We Say Goodbye

A FILM EMBRACING ONE'S HEART AND SPIRITUALITY
I have an aversion to kitchen sink melodramas and while I hesitated before viewing this film, I was overjoyed and elated to discover that movie people can actually produce a film about day-to-day real-life situations and keep the viewer totally absorbed. "Before We Say Goodbye" is the story of an Hispanic-American family living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's the story of Ramona and Carlos Garcia, the parents of four grown up children and grand-children who each are suffering through their own individual problems. The contrasts are vivid from the crusty tequila-swigging great-grandma to the rebellious teen who prefers Taco Bell delicacies to the food created in a Mexican Restaurant owned and operated by her hard working, almost bankrupt parents. The film is a tapestry of four generations each with distinct and deteriorating situations. Sitting in a hospital bed for the entire movie, Carlos played admirably by F.X. Gurrola-Gar, manages to mentor his family members with wisdom and...

Before We Say Goodbye - Humorous Look at Southwestern Hispanic Culture
This is a cute little low budget film which will make most Hispanics of the Southwest smile. The same way Mexican comedian George Lopez makes his audiences laugh by poking fun at his roots, this movie does much the same. It touches on many facets of the local New Mexican culture like religion, immigration, pregnancy, and the prioritization of brothers over sisters.

Anglo's (non-Hispanics) who have never experienced the culture may find it more difficult to find the humor since there needs to be some sense of understanding of where it is coming from. Having said that, it does give the non-Hispanic a glimpse into the Southwestern Hispanic culture which some may find interesting. On the other hand it could reinforce some negative stereotyping which some Hispanics would disagree with. The acting reminded me of the cheaply made Mexican Novella's (soap operas). No matter how over the top the acting may be, you can still get into the story and laugh and cry at times. Beware there...



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