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The Border

Play trailer Poster for The Border R 1982 1h 47m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
65% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Charlie Smith (Jack Nicholson) barely scrapes by on his low salary, but his hectoring wife, Marcy (Valerie Perrine), is anxious to move up in the world, so he takes a new position as a border patrol agent alongside the hair-trigger Cat (Harvey Keitel). Soon, Charlie is a reluctant party to Cat's smuggling and other petty criminal actions, but when the corrupt agent sets his avaricious sights on a poor illegal immigrant (Elpidia Carrillo) and her newborn baby, Charlie's moral code returns.
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The Border

The Border

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Critics Consensus

It makes frustratingly facile work of its thorny premise, but Jack Nicholson's gritty lead performance keeps The Border worth watching.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Maza Arizona Republic Aug 6, 2021
The Border splashes around in the shallows on both sides of the Rio Grande, never more than ankle-deep in the problems or drama of illegal immigration. Go to Full Review Jack Mathews Detroit Free Press Aug 6, 2021
3/4
Jack Nicholson gives his best starring performance since "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" as a soul-searching U.S. border patrolman... Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune Aug 6, 2021
3/4
Nicholson's best leading role since he won the Oscar for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" six years ago. Go to Full Review George Williams Sacramento Bee Aug 6, 2021
Jack Nicholson gives his most satisfying performance in years, perhaps since "Five Easy Pieces," in "The Border," directed by Tony Richardson. Go to Full Review Malcolm L. Johnson Hartford Courant Aug 6, 2021
The three disparate styles that play against one another in "The Border" give this film much of its interest and density, but not without an occasional sense that gears are grinding a bit. Go to Full Review Patrick Taggart Austin American-Statesman Aug 6, 2021
Nicholson is there with his cigarette and wild hair and his clenched-teeth sincerity to make it all okay. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago S @Thiagostone Jun 16, 2026 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Steve D @RT35616104 Aug 21, 2023 Nicholson's character is so detestable (and he is the GOOD guy) it is hard to watch See more delysid d @RT67044741 May 25, 2021 its not the most exciting See more Apr 11, 2021 This dark and gritty moral drama loses it's nerve come the third act, however, an excellent performance from Jack Nicholson holds it all together and The Border remains never less than watchable. See more Blobbo X @Blobbo Feb 11, 2021 Saw with Mrs Blobbo at the show when came out. Enjoyed, remember Blobbo. See more Mar 19, 2020 Jack Nicholson's performance was so electrifying great and one of the best film of all time.! See more Read all reviews
The Border

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Cast & Crew

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Tony Richardson

Director

Jack Nicholson

Charlie Smith

Harvey Keitel

Cat

Valerie Perrine

Marcy

Warren Oates

Red

Elpidia Carrillo

Maria

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The Border

The Border (1982) The Border (1982) The Border (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Charlie Smith (Jack Nicholson) barely scrapes by on his low salary, but his hectoring wife, Marcy (Valerie Perrine), is anxious to move up in the world, so he takes a new position as a border patrol agent alongside the hair-trigger Cat (Harvey Keitel). Soon, Charlie is a reluctant party to Cat's smuggling and other petty criminal actions, but when the corrupt agent sets his avaricious sights on a poor illegal immigrant (Elpidia Carrillo) and her newborn baby, Charlie's moral code returns.
Director
Tony Richardson
Producer
Edgar Bronfman
Screenwriter
Deric Washburn, Walon Green, David Freeman
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal/Universal Int
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 29, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 47m
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