The Cinema Project: 001

[dieewigenacht]

Following my last post, this is the first movie I'll "review" .

Bear in mind this is, in no way, a serious review. It's just my opinion about the film. I'm not a critic or anything like that. I'm just someone who watches a lot of films.

La ley de Herodes

 

Luis Estrada México

1999

Spanish Mexico,

1949. The fable of a janitor turned Mayor on a little town lost in the Mexican desert, who gradually realizes how far his new acquainted power and corruption can get him.

Why I saw this movie

Surprisingly, there's actually a reason. It was homework, to be honest. I had never been interested in this movie, so seeing it didn't really was my cup of tea, but I had to do it anyway. That said, I had to buy the movie in order to watch it, so I obviously had to do it, even if I didn't really wanted to. I think I may sell this one, I'm not sure.

My thoughts about the film

It is a good film, and even though I didn't really enjoyed it after the second half, I can sincerely recommend it. One thing that really got my attention was the colors of the film. It was done in an old style, so it was mainly grays and browns, which helped the whole shit hole town atmosphere. This colors are everywhere in the movie, even in things that are supposed to be really colorful, so it really plays an important role in the whole visual thing. Now, for the story. Enjoyable, yes, and even though I'd like to say it wasn't, if you live in Mexico, the ending doesn't really surprise you. Which I think it didn't tried to do it, it's actually a harsh critique of a certain reality lived in this country. Some of the characters are quite likable, or at least amusing. Characters that you really can believe and even relate a little to. The downfall of the main character is quite a irritating thing, which the movie plays perfectly well. I still didn't liked the second half of the movie, mainly because I was expecting something much more positive, but well, I'll keep dreaming. The music played a very important role in the movie. It's pretty simple, and I think only once it actually has someone singing, which isn't that important, but it was something I was kind of expecting in here. Again, the music as the colors help to build the atmosphere of the movie. And the dust, dear god the dust, the whole mix really creates a place you wouldn't want to be in. Few movies manage to get that effect, but here it's done quite well.

My favorite scene

Any scene with Doña Lupe, really. I think she is one of the best characters, not only because she is fun (in a very, very rude kind of way) but because she is full of life and she is a character that all of us can relate to in one way or another. Maybe we just know someone who is a little like her, but hell, that's something.

What I liked

Well, the scenery. It isn't pretty, but it works wonders with the film. The music and the color palette are amazing as well. The storyline, although nothing fancy, is good, but what I think really gets the price are the dialogues. For those who understand what they are saying at the trailer, you'll immediately will notice it really stands out.

What I disliked

Nothing wrong with the movie, and it's not that I disliked anything about it, but after a while, it bored me to death. But that's my problem, really, I got distracted.