The Gatekeeper
The Gatekeeper
| 01 March 2002 (USA)
The Gatekeeper Trailers

Adam Fields is a rage-filled U.S. Border Patrol Agent who often crosses the line in his job. A member of a vigilante group, Fields decides to go undercover with a hidden camera and cross with a group of undocumented immigrants. His plan goes awry, however, when the group is forced to work for a drug ring. Suddenly, Fields realizes that he has more in common with the migrants and their search for home, family and freedom than he thought

Reviews
Diagonaldi Very well executed
Flyerplesys Perfectly adorable
MusicChat It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.
TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
Jorge Bernardo Well, I liked so much about this movie...I was captivated, I was compelled, I thought the acting was tremendous, I was into it hook, line and sinker, and I think the filmmaker should be commended for an amazing job on a shoestring budget. I think most audiences will adore this film. Best of luck to "The Gatekeeper".
devamtz@hotmail.com John Carlos Frey captured such a controversial topic and displayed it on film in such an astounding manner. It was genuine in its message and I thank him for creating such a masterpiece! This film is for everyone. Those that are ignorant will understand, those that understand will cry, those indifferent will realize that we have a undercover war on the US-Mexico border. This film is unbelievable to say the least!!
gilipollas I actually thought this movie was really good. Especially if you consider they filmed it in 18 days with only 200,000 dollars, as I was told by the J.C. Frey, the Director/writer/main actor, when they screened the film here at the U of A, in Tucson. The story is mostly accurate from what I've witnessed living in Tucson for 5 years and Phoenix for 10. So many Mexicans die crossing the border, their families are split in search of better jobs, or they are coerced into criminal labor that I think a movie like this puts the issues at the forefront. Hell, the migrant group (secondary actors with little or no speaking roles) were real Mexican workers who the film crew hired for realism. I think that's really cool.And for someone living in Arizona, where the previews at theaters are often preempted by "Methlabs and kids don't mix" anouncements, the story of Adam/Juan Carlos being forced to work in the methlab is all too real. Just because this is an independent movie and therefore limited to resources doesn't mean it's bad. The secondary theme of Adam rediscovering his Mexican roots is very powerful and also a very prevalent theme in the southwest, especially.
faloopnik2 I just caught a screening of this film in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It deals with racism and the experience of Mexicans crossing the US border for a better life; unfortunately that life is working in a crystal meth laboratory. I wish that it had more development about its main character, a self-hating Mexican-Americanborder guard, who goes undercover with a group of illegal aliens. He eventually gets a change of heart, once he crosses the border and develops acameraderie with his fellow workers, and realizes how harsh their reality is.Two sequences were extremely powerful: One, where he confronts his dyingmother, and refuses to acknowledge her was powerful; the anger incrediblyconvincing. The other was a scene with the workers singing about their trek into California, and how their only goal is to make a better life for their families.It's worth checking out, especially since this appears to be a first time director with an edge.