La Cucaracha

Rating:
Summary: South of the Border Noir
Review: I saw this film twice on the Festival Circuit (NYC and Austin, where it won best screenplay) and made it my mission to spread the good word. This wonderfully written and directed film boasts the most accomplished performance to date by Eric Roberts as a gringo writer who abandons his life in the states to drink himself into oblivion in a small Mexican town. Interfering with his self destruction is an offer by a mysterious stranger to kill a notoriously evil man for a large (and desperately needed) sum of cash. I know it sounds like an unlikely jumping off point for a story about lust, obsession, revenge and redemption with a metaphysical twist, but what follows is sublime and thrilling filmmaking. No review is complete without mentioning the captivating debut of the mysterious beauty (Tara Crespo) who is wonderful as the light at the end of Roberts' tunnel. This is a great addition to any film lovers' library, and serves wonderfully as a movie to pop in for your jaded friend who thinks he's seen everything.

Rating:
Summary: South of the Border Noir
Review: I saw this film twice on the Festival Circuit (NYC and Austin, where it won best screenplay) and made it my mission to spread the good word. This wonderfully written and directed film boasts the most accomplished performance to date by Eric Roberts as a gringo writer who abandons his life in the states to drink himself into oblivion in a small Mexican town. Interfering with his self destruction is an offer by a mysterious stranger to kill a notoriously evil man for a large (and desperately needed) sum of cash. I know it sounds like an unlikely jumping off point for a story about lust, obsession, revenge and redemption with a metaphysical twist, but what follows is sublime and thrilling filmmaking. No review is complete without mentioning the captivating debut of the mysterious beauty (Tara Crespo) who is wonderful as the light at the end of Roberts' tunnel. This is a great addition to any film lovers' library, and serves wonderfully as a movie to pop in for your jaded friend who thinks he's seen everything.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best films that nobody's ever seen!
Review: I used to be a big fan of Eric Roberts, so took a chance on this DVD, after having read some good reviews. I'm so glad I did - this is probably one of the best performances Roberts has ever given. It's a shame that this movie was unseen and unheard of by most people - it's really a little gem.

Roberts is perfect as Walter Poole, a down on his luck would-be writer languishing in an alcoholic haze in Mexico, who, by a series of chance circumstances, finds a strange new purpose to his life. Unlike some recent indies, this film never substitutes mood for substance. The story is well written, the characters are memorable, and the direction and production are near perfect. The DVD is also visually teriffic, although I agree with previous reviewers that it should have been released in wide-screen.
If you like original, engaging movies that aren't like all the rest, then grab this one. Now if Eric Roberts would just keep making them like this, he'll be nominated for another Academy Award someday!

Rating:
Summary: So So Mediocre Movie
Review: I was disappointed by the movie: The plot was lethargic and implausible and the acting by Roberts was so-so. While it is better than many other B-grade movies, it simply lacked the suspense, drama, set-of-your-pants compellingness to make it a worthwhile film. I would avoid it. A far far better film for the money is A Murder of Crows, one of the best acted and scripted films on this decade.

Rating:
Summary: So So Mediocre Movie
Review: I was disappointed by the movie: The plot was lethargic and the acting by Roberts was so-so. While it is better than many other B-grade movies, it simply lack the suspense, drama, set-of-your-pants compellingness to make it a worthwhile buy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode
Review: More and more, and with some obvious exceptions, it seems that a film's budget is inversely proportional to its quality. La Cucaracha is definitely not a mega-Hollywood blockbuster, but production quality does not suffer at all in this fine noir.

Eric Roberts is truly excellent as a loser turned hitman, Joaquim de Almeida is vicious as the scumbag bad guy. This gem of a movie deserves your attention! There are so many little moments during the film that we can all identify with...

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

Rating:
Summary: Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode
Review: More and more, and with some obvious exceptions, it seems that a film's budget is inversely proportional to its quality. La Cucaracha is definitely not a mega-Hollywood blockbuster, but production quality does not suffer at all in this fine noir.

Eric Roberts is truly excellent as a loser turned hitman, Joaquim de Almeida is vicious as the scumbag bad guy. This gem of a movie deserves your attention! There are so many little moments during the film that we can all identify with...

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

Rating:
Summary: Down Mexico Way
Review: This is one of the best indie films I have seen in such a long, long time! A fresh and novel approach to film noir, rated by CREATIVE SCREEN WRITER's Magazine as the best film noir in the past few decades! The director has a special talent for taking the low-budget limits and making a BIG movie. Eric Roberts performance is par with his early performances in "Run Away Train" and "The Pope of Greenwich Village". I strongly suggest all film lovers adding this film to their library, as I have seen it in two festivals (winner of BEST PICTURE AWARD in 98' Austin film festival & ERIC ROBERTS winner of BEST ACTOR award in NY International Independent Film and Video Festival 99'). I only wish films like this would appear on the big screen more often.

Rating:
Summary: Down Mexico Way
Review: This is one of the best indie films I have seen in such a long, long time! A fresh and novel approach to film noir, rated by CREATIVE SCREEN WRITER's Magazine as the best film noir in the past few decades! The director has a special talent for taking the low-budget limits and making a BIG movie. Eric Roberts performance is par with his early performances in "Run Away Train" and "The Pope of Greenwich Village". I strongly suggest all film lovers adding this film to their library, as I have seen it in two festivals (winner of BEST PICTURE AWARD in 98' Austin film festival & ERIC ROBERTS winner of BEST ACTOR award in NY International Independent Film and Video Festival 99'). I only wish films like this would appear on the big screen more often.

Rating:
Summary: Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act
Review: Those of you familiar with Eric Roberts' film work of the 1980s (Raggedy Man, Runaway Train) will not be surprised to learn that he does a superlative job in this indie film noir.

Roberts plays a down on his luck alcoholic American would-be writer, stuck in a dirt-poor Mexican town. When given the chance of making some quick money to "do a favor" for the local crime boss, his life begins a wild downwards spiral.

Despite the subject matter, this film is far from depressing - it's more like a black comedy film noir. Too bad no one ever saw it, otherwise Roberts would be back making Oscar-caliber films instead of toiling in B movies and in sitcoms. The entire cast is teriffic, and the director does a stellar job on a miniscule budget. Buy this film and enjoy it, and tell someone else about it. It's that good!