Entre Nos

    Here we have another movie which doesn't shed a very favorable light on the husband/father of the family. Mariana and the children are reunited with Antonio in New York City. She and the children had to be thrilled to be with him as a family again.This joy was to be short lived. From the very beginning Antonio seemed like a "jerk". While they were playing cards her insulted Mariana in front of their children and their friends and dismissed her to make more Empanadas rather than join them playing cards. I think the tone was set for problems right then. Shortly after that he announces he is leaving for Miami for a new job. He is vague with Mariana as to when he will send for them. As we learn later he has no intention of them joining him. As he is leaving, Gabi runs after him. Antonio whispers something to him. I assume he was telling Gabi he is the man of the house while he is gone and to take care of his mother ans sister. A job which he takes very seriously. Antonio leaves them with an apartment, which Mariana finds out later that the rent isn't paid up, and very little money. Mariana goes into survival mode at that point. She tries to sell her empanadas to make money. She looks for work, but find that hard as she has the children that she can't leave alone or take to work with her. She and the children start collecting aluminum to sell for cash. She tries to make it fun for the children, having them help her collect them, having them count them, etc. When the are evicted from their apartment she ensures the children are safe and cared for. She always puts their needs before her own. She puts on a brave face for the children so they don't realize how desperate their situation is. Then she realizes she is pregnant. She is forced to make a decision that is gut wrenching for her. She goes to church to pray for forgiveness for what she feels she has to do. She befriends a women who helps her abort the baby by drinking a special tea. While she is sick with this, Gabi continues to collect aluminum and does odd jobs to make money. He is more of a man at his young age than his father was. When they don't have money for both a bag of chips and a candy bar, he forgoes the candy bar he wanted so Andrea could have the chips she wanted. Despite all their hardships, being homeless, hungry, Gabi being the only one who speaks English, they pull together to survive against what seem like insurmountable odds. Mariana is a very strong, resourceful woman, and there isn't anything she wouldn't do to ensure her children are safe and provided for. This is another testament to a Mother's love! As we find out at the end of the movie, they not only survive against all odds, but ultimately flourish and each of them go on to be successful.
    Unfortunately, this isn't an unusual problem here in America. There are many men, like Antonio, who abandon the children and do nothing to help support them.

Gail Krisko