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      The Border

      1982, Drama, 1h 47m

      26 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      It makes frustratingly facile work of its thorny premise, but Jack Nicholson's gritty lead performance keeps The Border worth watching. Read critic reviews

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      The Border  Photos

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      Movie Info

      Charlie Smith (Jack Nicholson) barely scrapes by on his low salary, but his hectoring wife, Marcy (Valerie Perrine), is anxious to move up in the world, so he takes a new position as a border patrol agent alongside the hair-trigger Cat (Harvey Keitel). Soon, Charlie is a reluctant party to Cat's smuggling and other petty criminal actions, but when the corrupt agent sets his avaricious sights on a poor illegal immigrant (Elpidia Carrillo) and her newborn baby, Charlie's moral code returns.

      • Rating: R

      • Genre: Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Tony Richardson

      • Producer: Edgar Bronfman

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Universal Pictures

      • Production Co: Universal/Universal Int

      Cast & Crew

      Critic Reviews for The Border

      Audience Reviews for The Border

      • Apr 09, 2008

        Great Nicholson and Keitel film that holds up to todays standards. A great morality piece and a fantastic story with great characters. I really need to see this again.

        Super Reviewer
      • Jul 27, 2006

        A truly under-appreciated Nicholson performance. One of the three or four Keitel efforts I can actually stand to watch without cursing and spitting on the ground. Note to aspiring actors: hook up with Keitel's team, especially if you can't act. If you hire on, for instance, with Keitel's publicist and manager, you will have it made in the shade. <p> And "introducing Elpidia Carillo," no less. What a great movie in which for her to debut!

        Super Reviewer

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