Milagro-Beanfield War Veterans Day

Milagro, New Mexico. Elev. 8400. A small and close knit town of families and friends, living and working together in hopes that someday they may actually pay off the balance on that washing machine (that doesn’t work anyway). Jose (Chick Vennera) tries desperately to get work with the new land development company that has just moved in on the town. There’s going to be a golf course and beautiful homes built soon. No luck though, they will not hire the locals for these new jobs. Angered and frustrated, Jose takes a kick at the fixture that now blocks any water flow onto his land..oops…must of kicked something loose, water is now flowing (illegally) into his dried up beanfield, his once livelihood. He should really turn it off, shouldn’t he? But he doesn’t..and so it begins…”The Milagro Beanfield War”. The poor townspeople must decide whether to take a stand together against the rich and powerful land developers. “Milagro” means miracle…just what this town will need!

The fiesty Sonia Braga, who is Ruby the auto mechanic, tries to work the apathetic town into standing up to what’s right for them. Ruben Blades is marvelous as the town sherriff, caught between his loyalty and the law. Carlos Riquelme is “Amarante”, the elder of the town who is able to talk to and get advice from a delightful angel, and you won’t want to miss one word of the conversations. Rounding the cast out nicely is John Heard, Daniel Stern, James Gammon, Melanie Griffith, and Christopher Walken, who adds his special touches as well.

Anyone who has had to watch the entirety of the film is encouraged to celebrate “Milagro Beanfield War Veterans Day,” held on the 31st of June. There is New Mexican Mexican (think “white cheese, not yellow”) food served and beans aplenty. Additionally, one real estate developer is voted by the community to be tarred, feathered, and rode out of town on a rail.