Bitter Sweat

Running time: 120 mins

Following in the inspiring tradition of Norma Rae and Erin Brockovich, Sonia Valent?n's Bitter Sweat gives viewers a vivid look at simple people fighting against overwhelming odds for better working conditions. Set in a Puerto Rican fish-cleaning factory, the film focuses on a group of female workers struggling to hold onto their jobs as massive layoffs and heated protests swirl around them. The volatile atmosphere culminates when their boss is found murdered one morning-quickly turning the story into a clever "whodunit" that Agatha Christie would drool over. As the investigation goes on and each woman is questioned, the strain puts their friendship to the ultimate test. Expertly combining complex personal relationships with suspense, director Valent?n (who also portrays the character Aurora) uses imaginative filmmaking to bring you close to the characters while compassionately exploring their positions. Tough-minded yet humane, it is the rare kind of picture that can address important issues without sacrificing stirring emotions. - Fernando F. Croce