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196 of 209 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Contraversial, yet penetrating, 4 Dec 2005
This film, like Reygadas' earlier, Japon, is a hard film to get to grips with. The slow, measured pace and attention to detail would suggest we could slowly evolve our understanding of the characters as the film drifts on but the plot advances in directions that we could not possibly expect, moving from issues of sex to exploitation to religion (and religious exploitation).Much was made of the real sex featured in the film and the alleged exploitation of the non-professional audience, predominantly because most critics could not accept that the attractive female lead would be willing to perform oral sex on the fat, aging lead male, but even a basic understanding of the characters and plot reveals that the most exploited character is that same fat, aging and gently, slow-witted chauffeur who is coerced into various events by two women, his equally fat and aging wife, whom encourages him to act illegally and selfishly (the backstory of a bungled kidnapping), and the daughter of the general he works for who uses him for sex and driving in her vacuous attempts to rebel. So, whereas most would perhaps dislike the protagonist for his cold treatment of those around him, it is this very detachment from his fellow man that alienates him and mistreats him, pushing him towards murder, self-degradation and religious fanaticism (although, most likely, religion has little to do with it), and it is only after all of this that he is shown any genuine warmth - when his suffering is too public to ignore. Reygadas' film has been accused as anti-Catholic, anti-Mexican, exploitative, sexist and generally cynical. I personally believe that it is not sexist, and in fact doesn't look upon any of the characters favourably. It is not exploitative other than the characters within the film exploiting one another, and, as for cynicism, anti-Catholicism and anti-Mexicanism, well that's Reygadas' prerogative, and any such feelings only go to show the personal passion behind the film. Most importantly, apart from the film's content, it is beautifully shot, majestically scored and extremely thought-provoking. After only two films Carlos Reygadas has established himself as one of the most important new directors working together, with a very individual style (albeit likened to Tarkovsky). Along with several other recent Mexican triumphs (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Amores Perros, etc.), I strongly recommend you check this film out. Everyone will respond in a different way to this film and only you can decide what worth it really has - which is surely the purpose of all good cinema. Either way, it really shouldn't go ignored by any serious cinephile.
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