| Summary: | In recent years over a million Latin Americans in search of a better life have surged into the U.S. -- conventionally and illegally. The U.S. has undergone arguably the most dramatic demographic and cultural shifts in its history and Latinos are expected to emerge as a potential American majority by 2050. The Whole Enchilada details how this growth has resulted in acute growing pains: conservative commentators railing against porous borders and complaining about illegal Latinos taking jobs away from Americans; an increase in hate crimes against Latinos, specifically in the infamous murder in Patchogue, N.Y.; extremely high unemployment in Latino communities; and young Hispanics joining gangs. The film also shows the increasing Latino vibrancy and optimism especially in Los Angeles where there is a new sense of empowerment. The L.A. City Councilman Tony Cardenas, touted as a future political leader, the actress Lupe Ontiveros, Josefina Lopez, the screenwriter of Real Women Have Curves, now the director of a theatre company and TV anchor Geraldo Rivera are some of the people interviewed in this lively film. Most dramatically, the recent appointment of the Supreme Court s first Hispanic justice, Sonia Maria Sotomayor, sent a powerful message of hope and opportunity to the Latino community.
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