Watch Lake Los Angeles
- PG
- 2016
- 1 hr 25 min
-
6.6 (155)
Lake Los Angeles is a 2014 drama film set in the eponymous desert area east of Los Angeles. The movie is directed by Mike Ott and stars David Ury, Corina Calderon, and Roberto Sanchez. The story revolves around a young girl named Cecilia, who is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. She has been abandoned by her mother and is wandering around the desert in search of work. She meets a middle-aged recluse named Francisco, who has also been left alone by life after his wife died. Cecilia becomes Francisco's companion, and the two of them start to develop an unlikely relationship.
There is a lot of silence in Lake Los Angeles. The movie is quiet and slow-paced, with vast expanses of empty desert landscapes. The opening shot of the movie shows Cecilia lying in the middle of the desert with her eyes closed as if waiting for something to happen. This moment sets the mood for the rest of the movie, which is full of melancholic meditative moments.
David Ury gives a great performance as Francisco. He embodies the hidden suffering of a man who has been left alone by the world. His acting is restrained and nuanced, conveying the character's emotions without any unnecessary showiness. Corina Calderon as Cecilia is equally impressive. She captures the innocence and vulnerability of a girl who has been abandoned to fend for herself.
The visuals of the movie are stunning. The desert landscapes are captured beautifully, and the cinematography adds to the overall melancholic mood of the film. The use of wide shots with the characters in the distance gives a sense of isolation and loneliness. The score is also minimalistic, adding to the overall atmosphere.
Lake Los Angeles tackles a lot of complex themes like immigration, loss, and loneliness. The movie is a meditation on human longing and connection. It is an exploration of two characters who are trying to find a place in a world that has left them behind.
One of the most poignant moments in the movie is when Cecilia and Francisco are drinking tea, and she tells him about her mother. Cecilia feels like she has been abandoned by her mother, and Francisco relates to her pain. The two of them bond over their shared sense of loss and share a moment of genuine connection.
The movie also touches upon the harsh realities of immigration. Cecilia is forced to live in hiding as an undocumented immigrant, and the movie portrays the difficulties and dangers that come with that life. The scenes in which she is pursued by border patrol agents and threatened with deportation are tense and realistic.
Overall, Lake Los Angeles is a somber meditation on loneliness, loss, and connection. The movie is a beautiful exploration of human longing and the need for companionship. The performances by David Ury and Corina Calderon are outstanding, and the visuals capture the desolation and beauty of the desert landscape. The themes of immigration and abandonment are dealt with sensitively, and the movie is a captivating work of art.
Lake Los Angeles is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.