amores perros
| Video Review
|
 |
| Title: |
amores perros |
| Publisher: |
Studio Home Entertainment,
Marina Del Rey, CA |
| ISBN: |
1-58971-070-3 |
| Format:
|
DVD |
| Rated:
|
R |
| Reviewed By: |
Frank Fogg |
| Review Date: |
June, 2003 |
| Rating: |
|
Filmed in Mexico, amores perros is
a brutal story of dog fighting and the men attracted to it. This DVD is in Spanish
with English subtitles available.
Hoping
to improve the quality of his squalid existence, Octavio tries to improve his
lot in life by dog fighting a neighborhood stray. He starts to win more and
more fights and money while also developing a fascination for his older brother's
wife. His fate catches up with him eventually as he loses everything important
to him. The choices he makes affect not only him, but also have a profound impact
on all the lives he touches.
One thing that makes this movie unusual is its presentation. The same event
may be shown a number of different times, from different locations, and with
some variation from the perspective of one of the movie's characters. Instead
of following a timeline, the story begins in the middle, goes to the beginning,
then jumps around as it shows the consequences of being in the wrong place at
the wrong time. I was surprised when the story continued well over one-half
hour past what I was sure was the end of the movie.
The action scenes in this video are rather intense. In addition to the dog fights,
there are a number of intensely violent events including robberies, shootings
and car chases that are extremely realistic. Although the movie doesn't dwell
on the violence and just tells the story with these scenes in context, viewers
that are easily offended will find some scenes highly objectionable.
Unfortunately for those that have an optimistic outlook on life, this movie
has no happy endings. It totally destroys the life of every major character
in a series of grim and degrading outcomes. It will however keep your attention
from beginning to end. The action sequences are stunning spectacles of terror,
substituting live action for special effects. Viewers that want to exercise
their Spanish listening skills (in addition to learning a few "new"
words) will not be disappointed, just don't plan to have a nice, warm, mushy
feeling when the movie is over. One last bit of advice; make sure to watch this
one after the kids have gone to bed.
