Mini-Synopsis:
The grass is always greener…or is it? MARCILIO FILHO is a
Brazilian father who started his own landscaping service and works
several jobs to take care of his family in the US and his native
Brazil. PATRICK O’BRIEN is an Irish-American father whose
landscaping business is faltering as he tries to support his family.
Their family responsibilities and chosen professions are similar;
their status in the US is not. Patrick was born here; Marcilio is
here illegally.
Marcilio’s
daughter, DORATEA, a high school senior, comes home from school
and her part-time job to find the letter she’s been waiting
for – an acceptance into college. Marcilio has never been
prouder.
Patrick
struggles with his finances. He blames the decrease in business
on the illegal immigrants who have undercut him and stolen clients.
It’s putting pressure on his marriage to IRIS and his ability
to take care of his daughter, ERIN.
Marcilio
delivers newspapers in the pre-dawn then works twelve hours cutting
and manicuring the lawns of the affluent. Patrick confronts Marcilio
and threatens him. Marcilio tells him there’s enough business
for everyone. Patrick gets ready to throw the first punch but backs
down when a client drives by.
Marcilio
and Doratea are told by her guidance counselor that she won’t
qualify for in-state tuition because she’s in the US illegally,
which means a 30% surcharge on the cost of her education. Marcilio
tells a despondent Doratea that he’ll find a way to get the
money she needs to go to college. He wires money to his wife and
other child in Brazil.
Patrick
tries to persuade Marcilio’s clients to go with him. Marcilio
takes a painting job in addition to delivering newspapers and his
landscaping business. He’s exhausted but has to work.
Patrick
makes a call to the U.S. Immigration hot line and reports Marcilio.
The next morning, Marcilio leaves for his paper route and spies
an INS Agent walking to his front door. At the same time, Patrick
leaves for his morning jog.
While
delivering papers the next morning with Doratea driving, Marcilio
asks to see her acceptance letter again. He digs into her backpack,
places it on the seat near him, then accidentally spills his coffee
onto it. Doratea reaches into the glove compartment for napkins
to wipe the coffee off the letter, the truck swerves, and she hits
Patrick.
They
pull over. Patrick is critically injured. Marcilio tells his daughter
to run, and he tells the police he was driving.
Doratea
stands over her father’s desk and glances at a picture of
her family. Doratea looks in on Patrick in the hospital on a ventilator.
IRIS and ERIN walk toward Patrick’s room and lock eyes with
Doratea.
Doratea
drives Marcilio to the airport. He promises to send money to her
in the U.S. Later, Doratea opens her father’s desk drawer
and slides scholarship confirmation letter on top of her coffee-stained
acceptance letter, then slowly closes the door.
Doratea takes her place at the Western Union counter. Iris stands
watch over Patrick in his hospital room. Later, Iris discovers an
envelope with several one dollar bills in her mail box.
Doratea
takes over her father’s paper route and encloses a business
card with each paper: “Doratea’s Landscaping Service.”
|
