RP3: Impressive Misconceptions

In the film El Norte there are is an impressive amount of misconceptions about the life in the United States, and by the end of the film. In the beginning of the film, the aunt of Enrique and Rosa tells stories about the luxurious lives of the citizens of the United States.  The aunt says that even the poor people have toilets that flush; even the poor people have cars.  She says that she knows all of this because she's had the opportunity to read a variety Good Housekeeping magazines.  It is unfortunate that the United States looks like a shiny new car from the outside, when really it is a country with as many issues as any other countries.

When Enrique and Rosa first arrive in the United States and they are in a Border Control office they are not at all excited to be in there.  Though the office is extremely unfamiliar to them, they are not attracted to the any of the differences.  Their mouths are not open in awe.  They do not find any of the country to be appealing.  However, things change when Rosa and Enrique successfully cross the border.  They have an apartment and think that all will be well, all they need is a car, but they have not yet understood that they do not have access to basic rights because they are not citizens.

It is unfortunate because Rosa and Enrique had no true options.  They could stay in their village and be killed or they can move to the "wonderful" United States, which is a mere illusion.  Though they had to leave their village and attempt to assimilate into Mexican vernacularisms, while simultaneously trying to assimilate into the mannerisms of El Norte.  Rosa and Enrique are caught between two extremely difficult places, and at the end of the film, though Rosa dies, neither of them find a place of solace or reconciliation.