Released in 1988, "The Milagro Beanfield War" is a whimsical drama about a Hispanic town in Northern New Mexico that's being invaded by land developers who want to turn the town into a resort and drive out the Chicano villagers. Chick Vennera plays the owner of the beanfield, Sonia Braga the champion of his cause, John Heard an aging ex-hippie lawyer who supports them and Daniel Stern a New York college student who takes up living on the beanfield property; Christopher Walken and Richard Bradford play the villains while Melanie Griffith has a cameo.This was Robert Redford's second movie in the director chair after the successful "Ordinary People" (1980). It failed at the box office perhaps because, while "Milagro" isn't bad at all, it's not great either; it's somewhere in between. It's professionally made with a great cast and locations, but it's only mildly engrossing. The problem is that there are so many characters, Braga's being the best, none of them are portrayed with much depth. It would've been a better movie if they cut out the fat and focused on a few of the characters, throwing in a dramatic hook, like Jack & Rose in "Titanic." A good example of something that could've been cut is Daniel Stern's character. Although Stern does fine in the role it's really an unnecessary character since the story already features a gringo who sides with the villagers. Despite this negative, I enjoyed the film and it leaves you with a good feeling. It's reminiscent of 1984's "The River" in tone and quality, albeit chipper and quirkier.The film runs 117 minutes and was shot in Espanola, Los Alamos, Truchas and Santa Fe, New Mexico.GRADE: B-

The Milagro Beanfield War is a fascinating, very entertaining film that surprised me when I found out how little known this film was even though it was directed by Robert Redford, whom is a very prolific actor and director. I liked how this film has a penchant for pretty sunrises and sunsets and I feel like it adds to the film. Is this a political film? It could be because it certainly has political overtones, but I was more entertained than politically guided with this film.Robert Redford's film is about a small town in New Mexico where it's predominated by Hispanics and Catholics. There is this one man named Joe Mondragon who illegally uses water to irrigate his beanfield and does what he can to protect it against the interests of big business.This film surprised me by having the acting it's best asset. I haven't heard of half of the cast, but they do a great job. There are several I've heard of such as John Heard, Christopher Walken, and Daniel Stern and I think they do a pretty good job. To be honest, I thought Stern would be funnier here since he is known as a funnyman.Overall, The Milagro Beanfield War is a vastly underrated film. It can be pretty funny at times without being too overly dramatic. It takes a while to get hooked into the film, but eventually you'll not want this film not to be ovefr. Not only does it have a good story, it's pretty to look at thanks to some fine cinematography and has a wonderful score by Dave Grusin. I think more people should get to see this film because it's very good. I rate this film 9/10.

The word milagro means miracle, but don't expect any from this artificial staging of author John Nichols' comic Southwestern fable about a poor farmer in a sleepy mountain village who challenges a network of greedy real estate tycoons hoping to plunder the pristine New Mexican countryside. It's ironic that such an outspoken champion of independent filmmaking would produce and direct such a trite and simplistic movie, affecting a fanciful, light-hearted tone even while it falls victim to emotional and dramatic overkill. The issues are presented in a transparent conflict between noble, good-natured small town folk and evil ecological rapists, carrying an idealistic message wielded with all the grace and subtlety of a giant rubber mallet. The northern New Mexico scenery is postcard perfect, but everything in the foreground (characters, dialogue, and plot) is coated with enough sugary sentiment to make even the most dedicated liberal feel queasy.

The tiny New Mexico town of Milagro is about to be taken over by developers. However farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) builds a beanfield using their water. This sparks off a war that threatens to get more and dangerous between the developers and townspeople.This came (and went) very quickly in 1988. The only reason it was made at all was because director Robert Redford's previous film ("Ordinary People") had been a big hit and won multiple Oscars. The title alone probably turned away most moviegoers. That's too bad because this is a sweet, lyrical movie. It somehow manages to draw the viewer into this small town and the inhabitants and make you care and side with them. It helps that there is some simply gorgeous cinematography and it has an Oscar-winning score that perfectly matches the films mood and tone. Also there is a huge cast of American and Latino actors--all of them are just great! The beautiful Sonia Braga is on hand and takes a minor role and really brings it to life. Also there's a simply wonderful scene where John Heard tells off evil Christopher Walken (Walken's always dazed expression perfectly fits this scene). A one of a kind beautiful film.The films R rating is unnecessary. There's no nudity, sex and minor bloodless violence. There's a little swearing but it's casual and done so quickly you're not even aware of it. It deserves a PG-13. Worth catching but not for everybody.