Editing El Norte (film) (section)

==Reception==

===Critical response===
When released, the staff at ''Variety'' described the film as the "first United American independent epic."<ref>[https://variety.com/1982/film/reviews/el-norte-1200425546/ ''Variety'']. Staff film review, 1983. Accessed: July 27, 2013.</ref>

In his four-star review, film critic Roger Ebert was pleased with Nava's and Thomas's work and likened it to a classic film of yesteryear, writing: "''El Norte'' (1983) tells their story with astonishing visual beauty, with unashamed melodrama, with anger leavened by hope. It is a ''Grapes of Wrath'' for our time."<ref name="ebert2004"/>

In a scene where the characters cross into California by means of a rat-infested sewer tunnel and emerge to a view of San Diego, ''Commonweal'' critic Tom O'Brien wrote: "...{{nbsp}}the scene sums up its rare strength".<ref>O'Brien, Tom. ''Commonweal'', film review, April 6, 1984.</ref>

Film critics Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of the website ''Spirituality and Practice'' were touched by Nava and Thomas' story and the attention they give to the character's native roots, and wrote: "Nava's attention to details, particularly the aesthetic and religious beauty of Indian culture, and his sympathy for the protagonists' inner lives lift this story above its melodramatic moments and make the tale a memorable one."<ref>[http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=6404 Brussat, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat]. ''Spirituality and Practice'', film review. No date. Accessed: July 27, 2013.</ref>

Some film reviewers objected to what they considered the film's overly sad end as [[Vincent Canby]] of ''The New York Times'', wrote: "Until its arbitrarily tragic ending, ''El Norte'' seems about to make one of the most boldly original and satirical social-political statements ever to be found in a film about the United States as a land of power as well as opportunity." However, Canby did find the acting top-rate and noted the realism they bring to their tasks. He added: "Mr. Nava does not patronize his 'little people.' This has something to do with the straight, unactorly quality of the performances, especially by Zaide Silvia Gutierrez as Rosa and David Villalpando as Enrique, two splendid Mexican actors."<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E7DD1E38F931A15752C0A962948260 Canby, Vincent]. ''The New York Times'', film review, "Film View; ''El Norte'': A Fine Movie Fuel led by Injustice", January 22, 1984. Accessed: July 27, 2013.</ref>

Rotten Tomatoes reported that 92% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on 60 reviews.<ref name="tottentomatoes">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/el_norte/ |title=El Norte movie reviews |work=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |access-date=August 10, 2021}}</ref>

===Accolades===
'''Wins'''
* [[Festival des Films du Monde - Montréal|Montréal World Film Festival]]: ''Grand Prix des Amériques,'' Gregory Nava; 1984.

'''Nominations'''
* [[Academy Awards]]: Oscar; [[Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen]], Gregory Nava and Anna Thomas; 1985.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il6P0bgjRTQ Robert Benton and Peter Shaffer winning Writing Oscars®-Oscars on YouTube]</ref>
* [[Writers Guild of America, East]]: WGA Award; Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen; Gregory Nava and Anna Thomas; 1985.

'''Other distinguishments'''
* In 1995 the film was selected for preservation by the United States [[National Film Registry]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2019/film/news/gregory-nava-norte-35th-anniversary-release-1203290593/#! Gregory Nava's 'El Norte' Set for 35th Anniversary Release - Variety]</ref>