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354:. Ladd Devine, a real estate mogul, has plans to build a grand vacation retreat in the area, potentially the largest in the state. Local resident Joe Mondragon is eager for work at the construction site but faces rejection, despite his willingness to take on any task. He confides in an elder neighbor about his concerns over the drought.
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scenes against others. There are characters who seem to belong in an angry documentary—like Devine, who wants to turn
Milagro into a plush New Mexico resort town. And then there are characters who seem to come from a more fanciful time, like Mondragon, whose original rebellion is more impulsive than studied."
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Critic
Richard Scheib liked the film's direction and the characters portrayed. He wrote, "Redford arrays a colorfully earthy ensemble of characters. The plot falls into place with lazy, deceptive ease. Redford places it up against a gently barbed level of social commentary, although this is something
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believes the film missed its mark, and wrote, "The screenplay, by David Ward and John
Nichols, based on Mr. Nichols's novel, is jammed with underdeveloped, would-be colorful characters, including a philosophical Chicano angel, who face a succession of fearful confrontations with the law that come to
499:
In his essay, "Night of the Living
Beanfield: How an Unsuccessful Cult Novel Became an Unsuccessful Cult Film in Only Fourteen Years, Eleven Nervous Breakdowns, and $ 20 Million," John Nichols gives an account of the film project as he saw it. Nichols also described the origin of the novel and the
357:
Desperate for water, Mondragon taps into an irrigation canal, unaware of the legal consequences. News of his actions spreads quickly, catching the attention of Ruby
Archuleta, who runs a gas station and repair shop. She seeks help from Charlie Bloom, a socially conscious lawyer and publisher, to
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also gave the film a mixed review and had problems with the film's context, writing, "The result is a wonderful fable, but the problem is, some of the people in the story know it's a fable and others do not. This causes an uncertainty that runs all through the film, making it hard to weigh some
369:
In the chaos, Bloom is arrested, causing strain between him and
Archuleta. The state forestry department tries to seize Mondragon's cow, leading to a standoff defused by Sheriff Bernabe Montoya. Mondragon is offered a foreman position at the construction site, causing conflict with his wife and
29:
365:
Mondragon's land is the only plot Devine hasn't acquired yet. Tensions rise, prompting the state governor to send Kyril
Montana to intervene. Efforts to suppress Bloom's coverage fail when magazines are scattered across town, leading to a heated community meeting.
361:
Meanwhile, sociologist Herbie Platt arrives from the East Coast to study local customs but faces mixed reactions from the residents. Mayor Sammy Cantu remains distant, and
Mondragon reluctantly agrees to host Platt in exchange for assistance in the fields.
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As tensions escalate, the townsfolk arm themselves, leading to confrontations, including a shootout leaving
Amarante injured. Montana pursues Mondragon, who seeks refuge with Shorty. Despite arrests and clashes, Mondragon persists in harvesting his beans.
492:, which is argued to be the last surviving fortified Spanish plaza in North America. Some locals responded favorably, but many objected to the idea of big business changing the small community, which forced Redford to film the movie in
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Eventually, the governor steps in, halting Devine's project and fostering reconciliation among the townsfolk. Celebrations erupt in the bean field, culminating in a kiss between
Archuleta and Bloom.
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contributed the film's original music. A formal soundtrack album has never been released, although tracks from the score were included as a bonus suite on Grusin's 1989 album
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nothing. The narrative is a veritable fiesta of anticlimaxes, from the time the sun sets at the beginning of the film until it sets, yet again, behind the closing credits."
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776:"Night of the Living Beanfield: How an Unsuccessful Cult Novel Became an Unsuccessful Cult Film in Only Fourteen Years, Eleven Nervous Breakdowns, and $ 20 Million"
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reported that 61% of critics gave the film a positive rating, based on 33 reviews. The consensus states: "Arguably Robert Redford's most inchoate work,
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that comes surprisingly light-heartedly. There’s an enchantment to the film – at times it is a more successful version of the folklore fable that
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603:. This is a genre that usually involves an earthily naturalistic, often highly romanticized, blend of the supernatural and whimsical."
335:. The plot revolves around a man's fight to protect his small beanfield and community against larger business and political interests.
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The film's premiere in three cities was called "risky" and "disappointing" by industry analysts.
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The Milagro Man: The Irrepressible Multicultural Life and Literary Times of John Nichols
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782:(illustrated ed.). Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. pp. 133–153.
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has plenty of beautiful moments, but they don't quite add up to a worthwhile whole."
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Scheib believes the film is "one of the first American films to fall into the
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In the opening credits, a lively Latino dances through the fields of Milagro,
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654:: Golden Globe; Best Original Score - Motion Picture, Dave Grusin; 1989.
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638:: Oscar; Best Music, Original Score, Dave Grusin; 1989.
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According to an article by Patricia Rodriguez in the
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Films that won the Best Original Score Academy Award
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making of the film in the biographical documentary,
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Political Film Society: PFS Award; Democracy; 1989.
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839:"Weekend Box Office: New Blood Refreshes Top Five"
657:Political Film Society: PFS Award; Exposé; 1989.
617:The film was screened out of competition at the
291:. The movie features an ensemble cast including
867:"Review/Film; 'Beanfield,' Directed By Redford"
559:The film received mixed reviews from critics.
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1320:Films with screenplays by David S. Ward
811:"Milagro Man Find Himself in Spotlight"
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693:Latino and Hispanic American portal
780:Dancing on the Stones: Selected Essays
1275:American political comedy-drama films
7:
338:The film was released on Blu-ray by
1355:English-language comedy-drama films
1270:1980s political comedy-drama films
922:"The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)"
920:Scheib, Richard (8 January 2000).
666:Veteran jazz pianist and composer
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864:Canby, Vincent (March 18, 1988).
1350:Films produced by Robert Redford
1305:Films directed by Robert Redford
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592:(1968) tried to be but failed."
1300:Films based on American novels
892:Ebert, Roger (April 1, 1988).
774:Nichols, John (January 2001).
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1330:Films about Mexican Americans
954:. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
711:Klady, Leonard (1989-01-08).
413:as "Horsethief Shorty" Wilson
1285:1980s English-language films
999:AFI Catalog of Feature Films
762:AFI Catalog of Feature Films
1290:Films scored by Dave Grusin
965:"The Milagro Beanfield War"
946:"The Milagro Beanfield War"
909:– via RogerEbert.com.
894:"The Milagro Beanfield War"
16:1988 film by Robert Redford
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1295:Films about water scarcity
1164:The Legend of Bagger Vance
552:promoting the film at the
389:as Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
1221:Wildwood Enterprises, Inc
1132:The Milagro Beanfield War
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1006:The Milagro Beanfield War
993:The Milagro Beanfield War
756:The Milagro Beanfield War
739:The Milagro Beanfield War
619:1988 Cannes Film Festival
612:The Milagro Beanfield War
554:1988 Cannes Film Festival
272:The Milagro Beanfield War
68:The Milagro Beanfield War
33:Theatrical release poster
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22:The Milagro Beanfield War
1335:Universal Pictures films
1310:Films shot in New Mexico
485:Fort Worth Star-Telegram
211:March 18, 1988
1340:1988 comedy-drama films
1315:Films set in New Mexico
1140:A River Runs Through It
358:address the situation.
342:on September 29, 2020.
1206:Sundance Film Festival
1107:Awards and nominations
606:The review aggregator
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1345:1980s American films
1188:The Company You Keep
584:Francis Ford Coppola
455:as Mayor Sammy CantĂş
219: (United States)
1325:Magic realism films
1156:The Horse Whisperer
816:Albuquerque Journal
518:Truchas, New Mexico
490:Chimayo, New Mexico
431:as Amarante Cordova
275:is a 1988 American
1216:Sundance Institute
1022:TCM Movie Database
969:Festival de Cannes
872:The New York Times
566:The New York Times
563:, film critic for
557:
522:
516:Redford filmed in
447:Christopher Walken
407:as Nancy Mondragon
333:Christopher Walken
197:Universal Pictures
145:Christopher Walken
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1251:
899:Chicago Sun-Times
843:Los Angeles Times
819:. August 10, 2012
789:978-0-8263-2183-1
718:Los Angeles Times
533:Critical response
419:as Flossie Devine
401:as Ruby Archuleta
277:comedy-drama film
268:
267:
86:Charles Mulvehill
81:Moctesuma Esparza
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1237:Lola Van Wagenen
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845:. March 22, 1988
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589:Finian's Rainbow
542:Melanie Griffith
471:Robert Carricart
467:as Emerson Capps
449:as Kyril Montana
443:as Joe Mondragon
425:as Charlie Bloom
417:Melanie Griffith
393:Richard Bradford
313:Melanie Griffith
297:Richard Bradford
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465:Jerry Hardin
461:as Nick Rael
435:Daniel Stern
411:James Gammon
405:Julie Carmen
387:Rubén Blades
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325:Daniel Stern
309:James Gammon
305:Julie Carmen
293:Ruben Blades
289:John Nichols
279:directed by
271:
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269:
264:$ 13,825,794
256:$ 22 million
228:Running time
204:Release date
140:Daniel Stern
120:James Gammon
115:Julie Carmen
100:Rubén Blades
84:Gary Hendler
66:
53:John Nichols
1243:Amy Redford
1211:Sundance TV
1102:Filmography
668:Dave Grusin
646:Nominations
575:Roger Ebert
550:SĂ´nia Braga
459:Tony Genaro
399:SĂ´nia Braga
370:Archuleta.
340:Kino Lorber
301:SĂ´nia Braga
232:117 minutes
187:Dave Grusin
110:SĂ´nia Braga
77:Produced by
39:Directed by
1265:1988 films
1259:Categories
1245:(daughter)
1033:Letterboxd
974:August 19,
849:August 19,
724:2016-10-19
699:References
662:Soundtrack
525:Box office
478:Production
423:John Heard
352:New Mexico
317:John Heard
261:Box office
215:1988-03-18
177:Jim Miller
173:Dede Allen
130:John Heard
49:Written by
1148:Quiz Show
673:Migration
625:Accolades
508:Reception
169:Edited by
1199:Sundance
1044:AllMovie
680:See also
245:Language
183:Music by
93:Starring
63:Based on
1055:YouTube
1020:at the
996:at the
759:at the
494:Truchas
248:English
237:Country
213: (
1230:Family
1191:(2012)
1183:(2010)
1175:(2007)
1167:(2000)
1159:(1998)
1151:(1994)
1143:(1992)
1135:(1988)
1127:(1980)
786:
331:, and
253:Budget
926:Moria
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