When I entered Lewis & Clark College in autumn, 2002, I took a sociology-anthropology class. The teacher told us about water distribution systems and recommended "The Milagro Beanfield War" as a look at this topic. Since I had seen a number of Robert Redford's (who turns 71 today) movies during the past year and had thus taken an interest in his work, I decided to watch the movie.

I have to say that it really impressed me. I don't know whether to describe it as mystifying, ethereal, or something else. I could go forever in trying to praise it, though I don't consider it the greatest movie ever. But I definitely extend the recommendation that the teacher gave the class.

Starring Ruben Blades, Daniel Stern, Melanie Griffith, John Heard and Chick Venera.

A small villagw in New Mexico populated by mostly hard working Mexican Americans faces sudden crisis in their farming community thanks to the presence of developers interested in taking over their land and destroying their bean industry due to the lack of water supply. At the heart of the story is farmer Chick Vennera and his wife Julie Carmen who are struggling to make ends meet, raising their children yet overloaded with debt, but taking in the independent minded teacher/activist Daniel Stern. Activist Sonia Braga steps up to lead the fight against the legal corruption going on which brings about much conflict (mainly through fear) before they take action against what's going on, pitting them against governor M. Emmet Walsh.

A great ensemble cast (where nobody is the lead) has their big moments stolen by the recurring presence of an adorable pig, a symbol of mysticism because of its owner. Singer Freddie Fender, Christopher Walken, John Heard, Richard Bradford and even Melanie Griffith are among the huge ensemble (featuring a 90% Hispanic cast) where even the smallest part has a standout moment. These characters seem so real, as if an entire community gathered together to make sure they were represented fairly and with heart, no matter what each character has to do in the story.

Director Robert Redford (only his second film after winning the Oscar for "Ordinary People") takes great care in presenting a beautiful story that is reminiscent of the types of films that Frank Capra, William Wellman and John Ford used to make. Vennera, Brags and Stern (looking exactly as he did in the "Home Alone" movies but a completely different type of character) are the standouts. The David Grusin musical score is now considered a classic piece of movie music, and the photography is stunningly beautiful. This has held up even more turn the first time I saw this when it came out. An unsung modern classic well worth being reanalyzed.

The biggest name associated with The Milagro Beanfield War is its director Robert Redford. He does not step in front of the camera at any time during this film. Instead Redford assembled and directed a capable cast of players in a colorful and quaint tale about fighting city hall.

But it's not municipal, but the state government itself in Milagro, New Mexico's struggle with developer Richard Bradford. Their tiny little town has been selected by him with the backing of New Mexico's governor M. Emmet Walsh for a resort development. The first part of said development is the construction of a small dam that stops water from getting to the beanfields of the Chicano farmers who have lived there and scratched a living from the soil for many generations. Bradford's plans will result in a kind of rural gentrification as these farmers will not be able to live on property that will increase in value as the taxes go up on it as well.

But when Chick Vennera punches a hole in the dam and irrigates his beanfield that starts a populist type war in Milagro. Vennera becomes a symbol and rallying point for the Chicano farmers against the Anglo developers. Caught in the middle of all this is the town magistrate Ruben Blades who sympathizes with Vennera's struggle.

Vennera has some other allies in community activists John Heard and Sonia Braga and visiting sociology student Daniel Stern. But Bradford sends his ace troubleshooter Christopher Walken in and he plays kind of rough.

Redford directed The Milagro Beanfield War with a light touch, but still made his points well. Robert Redford's reputation as one who has devoted himself to conservation issues is well known and this film gives him quite the venue.

The Milagro Beanfield War won an Oscar in the only category it was nominated in for Best Original Music Score. The score utilized some traditional Mexican folk themes and the arrangements are quite nice.

So is the cinematography done completely on location in New Mexico, in the west that Robert Redford would like to see more of preserved and ordinary people just given a chance to make a living.