Amazon.com: This is one of Jack Nicholson's most underrated performances and director Tony Richardson's most overlooked films. Nicholson is a member of the U.S. Border Patrol who moves with his materialistic wife (Valerie Perrine) to a small Texas town. There, his new colleagues try to pull him into the web of corruption that runs through the local department and he's tempted, because the illicit cash will help pay the bills that his charge-happy wife is running up. But his conscience gets the better of him when he gets involved in a case of a young Mexican woman whose baby is stolen to be sold for adoption. Nicholson simmers, stews, and eventually explodes. The superior cast includes Perrine, Harvey Keitel, and Warren Oates. --Marshall Fine
Nicholson's The Border Just another really class act from Jack Nicholson. Truly a major film about our complex Mexican border -- I am very happy with my VHS from a fine seller! Rates triple A++++.
Nicholson and Keitel in "The Border" A contemporary Western with all the sinister possibilities that surround issues a Border Patrol agent could face even today, 1982's "The Border" (1982) is a crime drama that still holds strength through the years. Jack Nicholson has just transferred to El Paso, Texas after getting on with the United States Border Patrol. Harvey Keitel is ever bit as important in his role as he plays a current member of the Patrol, where drug trafficking and the endless capture and release of people entering the country illegally can take a toll on a man over time.
Nicholson's portrayal is top notch, as the viewer experiences his life up close and personal as he quickly realizes his ethics and integrity within his job are being threatened from within the very organization he belongs to. Corruption and Betrayal abound as a heart wrenching theme emerges that carries a carload of compassion for Charlie (Nicholson) when he soon gets caught up in one of the worst crimes possible; Human Trafficking.
Charlie's journey turns from frustration to near madness as his wife starts racking up bills with new furniture and toys, trying to create an oasis within their desert predicament that does little to mask the pain.
With an older film like this, one might think the problems and scenarios are more fictitious than factual, but with the same issues that still face Border Patrol Agents today, the plot and overall storyline stays fresh. Charlie becomes caught up in a world of crime where the actual borderline seems to do little to separate the innocent and the guilty. Cat (Keitel) is a great counter punch as a friend, antagonist and symbolic reference for the corruption and crime that does nothing but add to the dilemmas faced by Charlie. Chases in the desert, lies, a final confrontation and going against the grain to help a young woman named Maria all lead to a powerful ending. This is a film that has seemed to be forgotten amidst all of the other great performances Nicholson and Keitel have given over the years, but is still a touching, riveting film that holds value with quality acting and an excellent script.
The Border is still very relevant. Story good, performance, too. Is too long relevant and real. I grew up in this part of America. I am almost 70 and can attest to the raw accuracy of the
film. Acting good. could have benefited from closer editing and been 20 minutes shorter
Where's the sound track? Wonderful movie, with fine performances by a host of actors. What I'd like to know is why the sound track has never been released on CD? Seems like the LP was available for about 15 minutes, and I was lucky enough to get one of those, but hey, there is some real nice music all over this movie, and it needs to be on CD!
the border DVD You almost cannot go wrong with Jack Nicholson or Harvey Keitel, the scenario is interesting, and Valerie Perrine proves once more why she never made the big time in Hollywood
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