Synopsis
Maya is a quick-witted young woman who comes over the Mexican border without papers and makes her way to the LA home of her older sister Rosa. Rosa gets Maya a job as a janitor: a non-union janitorial service has the contract, the foul-mouthed supervisor can fire workers on a whim, and the service-workers' union has assigned organizer Sam Shapiro to bring its "justice for janitors" campaign to the building. Sam finds Maya a willing listener, she's also attracted to him. Rosa resists, she has an ailing husband to consider. The workers try for public support; management intimidates workers to divide and conquer. Rosa and Maya as well as workers and management may be set to collide.
Votre Filmothèque
Cast
- Pilar PadillaMaya
- Adrien BrodySam Shapiro
- Jack McGeeBert
- Monica RivasSimona
- Frankie DavilaLuis
- Lillian HurstAnna
- Maria OrellanaBerta
- Melody GarrettCynthia
- Elpidia CarrilloRosa
- George LopezPerez
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
Will this movie change anything, or this review make you want to see it? No, probably not. But when you come in tomorrow morning, someone will have emptied your wastebasket. - 75
Christian Science Monitor
Socially alert drama. - 70
The New York Times
He plies his viewers with plenty of bread -- chewy and, to some tastes, dry and starchy scenes -- but he also scatters petals of whimsy and delight to nourish the senses. - 70
Los Angeles Times
Bread and Roses" hits home when one of Maya's co-workers observes, "When we put on uniforms, we become invisible." It's a truth as uncomfortable as it is undeniable. - 70
L.A. Weekly
There are scenes here that fill one with rage or bring tears to the eyes. - 67
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
It's a passionate film powered by the righteous anger of injustice. - 63
Chicago Tribune
As is often the case in Loach's films, all the acting is exemplary. Padilla, who learned English only shortly before making the film, is a natural actress, a smoldering presence. - 50
Slate
The director's knee-jerk anti-capitalism often sticks in my (white, well-fed) craw.