A cooky thriller that seems to both revel in and pastiche genre tropes simultaneously. The dialogue is as punchy as it is hammy, but the cast give it enough gusto that I found myself giggling rather than rolling my eyes. The story zips along, though at times rather aimlessly. But the quirky vignettes are enough to protect it from boring deviations, ensuring an entertaining watch all the way through.
Beyond special. Never have I seen a story achieve such levels of pure humanity whilst avoiding any hint of melodrama. As honest a portrayal of real emotions and real situations as I have experienced through television. The performances seem as nuanced as they do effortless, Paul Mescal in particular has an uncanny ability to dramatise someone who innately hides their emotions. The direction is subtle but assured, rendering each moment with both verisimilitude and a deeper, emotional truth. The script…
A refreshingly fantastic film out of Mexico. A perfectly rounded glimpse of a unique world, executed with sincerity and heart. The casting is incredible and the handling of non-actors put me in mind of a Mexican Shane Meadows. I was drawn in from the first beautifully composed frame and I was enraptured by the honesty of the performances in an otherwise suitably uncomplicated story.
