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The Milagro Beanfield War

R Released Mar 18, 1988 1h 57m Comedy Drama List
61% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In the tiny town of Milagro, New Mexico, where the local water is a premium resource, shady developer Ladd Devine (Richard Bradford) has conceived a glitzy resort that will ultimately siphon off all the water from the neighboring crop-fields. When handyman and farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) accidentally breaks a water valve reserved for major companies, he inadvertently sets off a small-scale water-rights war between the farmers and the developers.
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The Milagro Beanfield War

The Milagro Beanfield War

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Critics Consensus

Arguably Robert Redford's most inchoate work, The Milagro Beanfield War has plenty of beautiful moments, but they don't quite add up to a worthwhile whole.

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Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press Magazine articles about its making have outlined the problems: multiple script changes, wholesale reshooting. The tinkering appears to have eroded the film's basic core. It is now a series of audience-pleasing turns, with little sense of unity. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 23, 2019 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Redford and company have put a quirky twist on the material, investing it with a quasi-mystical aspect as well as some raw comedy. Nov 7, 2007 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Fairly choked with good intentions, whimsy, touches of fantasy, and cardboard liberal stereotypes. Nov 7, 2007 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight “Milagro” is a wonderful film with a nice message that is too overpowering to the story Rated: 3/4 Nov 26, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A charming ensemble piece that sprinkles a dash of magical realism over the familiar tale of underdogs rebelling against a corrupt and capitalist system. Rated: 3/4 Oct 3, 2020 Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times "Milagro" captures the inherent naiveté of the liberal '60s sentiment of power to the people. Hilarious and incredibly warm, it's a tribute to a fading culture, leaving one with an ache, knowing soon nobody will be able to hear the wisdom of Coyote Angel. Rated: 4.5/5 Apr 2, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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mark g This was not a very good movie. It tries so hard to be irreverent and quirky, but it's so forced and stale. Comes off like a bad made for PBS film. Complete waste of acting talent. Grew so bored by the numerous failed attempts at humor. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review Bahad j I really liked how the actors got into their roles so well. I think that people watching the movie and other people really liked the fact that he is so naturally and elegantly immersed in his role. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Geke g Well written dialogues and directing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/24 Full Review Munkhchimeg T Meaningful and thoughtful movie. I am pretty sure that you will learn many new things Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/24 Full Review T D This scene... every morning for 35+ years I say "Thank you god, for giving me another day". This morning I couldn't visualize it so I checked here. I had the line wrong, as remembered. But in this forgiving universe it has worked anyway to allow me to express my gratitude - through it all. And today. Very special movie to me. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/20/23 Full Review j f Great cast. James Gammon rules. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Milagro Beanfield War

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Cast & Crew

The Hard Way 75% 53% The Hard Way Once Around 67% 73% Once Around The Breakfast Club 89% 92% The Breakfast Club TRAILER for The Breakfast Club Melvin and Howard 92% 61% Melvin and Howard Slap Shot 85% 88% Slap Shot Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis In the tiny town of Milagro, New Mexico, where the local water is a premium resource, shady developer Ladd Devine (Richard Bradford) has conceived a glitzy resort that will ultimately siphon off all the water from the neighboring crop-fields. When handyman and farmer Joe Mondragon (Chick Vennera) accidentally breaks a water valve reserved for major companies, he inadvertently sets off a small-scale water-rights war between the farmers and the developers.
Director
Robert Redford
Producer
Moctesuma Esparza, Robert Redford
Screenwriter
John Nichols
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$12.7M
Runtime
1h 57m
Sound Mix
Surround
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