Length: 2 hours
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama, Historical Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix
SUMMARY:
1921. An innocent immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.
TRAILER:
Review:
A really random find on Netflix, but I like all three actors and plus I like a good drama so why not?
This….was an interesting movie for sure. The movie follows Ewa who is coming to America with her sister from Poland. Their family was killed and they had nothing left. So why not try America? Things go wrong...of course (they do not make it easy to move here which is a tragedy in itself). Ewa’s sister is deemed too sick to be let in, which leaves Ewa alone and god forbid they allow a woman to come into the country alone especially after there is a rumor she was giving favors on the boat. They are about to deport her, but Bruno comes and “saves” her and offers her a way to get money to buy her sister’s medical bills and ultimately freedom. Of course that way is to sell her body for money.
This was sad. I felt bad for Ewa. All she wanted was to live in peace with her sister. They went through a lot to get here and those bastards just were bastards and came up with every single thing to deny citizenship. And then they give her crap for trying to get money for being a prostitute. WHAT DO YOU WANT???? If you refuse to assist immigrants they need to feed themselves somehow. SIGH.
Anyways…
The cast was good. I was a little bummed by the guy who played Orland (Renner). He is so good, but this one he seemed so awkward and not up to his normal level of acting. It all seemed so forced. Maybe Historicals are not his cup of tea? Who knows? The rest of the cast did well though.
I did really hate the love-triangle they tried forcing on Ewa. Sure Ewa kinda liked Orlando and kinda liked Bruno for helping her, but all she cared about was saving her sister. I wish there wasn’t the triangle at all. I get they were trying to add more drama, but isn’t a nurse turning to a prostitute because of the cruddy American men enough drama??? Sighs. I do get tired of the love-triangle. I must hand it to them though…this was an interesting one. Ewa was screwed no matter what she did. They both were scum overall. Orlando is an illusionist who is good but hard to work with because he is a womanizer and a jerk. And Bruno is a pimp. EWA YOU DESERVE A PRINCE DAMMIT! *shakes fist*
And what the heck was that ending? Yes, there was a little some of happiness, but really? You are going to leave it like that? It seemed like there was supposed to be another scene and then it ended. Errrr….so no real full conclusion there. Okay…leave it up to imagination I guess. I’m hopeful for Ewa and her sister.
In the end, this was for sure entertaining. Lots of drama. It does give a little message of how America is supposed to be a safe haven for immigrants, but they make it hard as hell even for people who really deserve and need it. Also, it shows the love of family is strong. The love-triangle was meh and the ending left me feeling a void. I’ll give this three stars. Only for the fact I really liked Ewa.