A.T.M.: ¡¡A toda máquina!! (1951) User Reviews

Quite enjoyable.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 13 April 2013]

Most Americans have never heard of Pedro Infante--even though he was a huge recording and film star just south of the border. And, although I have probably watched more international films than anyone you'll ever meet, I also have never gotten around to watching any of Infante's films--until today. And, after enjoying "A.T.M.: ¡¡A toda máquina!!", it certainly won't be the last of his films I watch.

The film begins with a homeless guy, Pedro (Pedro Chávez) watching a group of recruits trying out for an elite motorcycle police unit. One of them, Luis (Luis Aguilar) notices Pedro following him home. On a lark, he decides to invite the poor guy for a bite to eat--and Pedro eats EVERYTHING. And, soon, Pedro ends up moving in with Luis. However, Luis is an odd man--in some ways he's very nice to Pedro and at other times rather nasty. Eventually, the two become cops together and begin a huge rivalry that follows throughout the movie.

I liked the film because the characters, particularly Infante's, were enjoyable. Plus, it was nice seeing Infante himself doing his own insane motorcycle stunts. An enjoyable mix of music, comedy, romance and camaraderie. Not a great film but a very gentle and engaging film.

Pedro Infante and Luis Aguilar, May they Live on Forever !!!

[Vivaelhotelplaza2005 · 10/10 · 2 August 2006]

Pedro Infante was a hero, and he made the Motorcycle Cops of el Distrito Federal as Movie Stars, with that being in this Film. ATM or A toda Maquina was also the Film that made Harley Davidson more and more legendary in Mexico. Luis is a Motorcycle Cop who is accepted in the Acrobatic Corps that performs death defying stunts in front of the public at Plaza Mexico at the end of the Film. He befriends a Homeless man who was in Jail for supposedly killing his Girlfriend, when he is also a Jinxed man where horrible things happen to his Loved ones. They suddenly end up being Roommates and a true Odd Couple for Mexico, but long before Niel Simon made his legendary Play. They get themselves in crazy situations where Luis has a Girlfriend and he broke from her, with him having many Girlfriends and one of them is connected with Gangsters, where they threaten Luis, and he has his now Roommate suffer the Blows by the Gangsters after he talks to that same Girl and is set up for trouble. A horrible fight takes place after Luis is confronted by all of his Girlfriends in a horrible fight with them, and both are arrested and then they still have to face one another for they became Partners in the Police Force; after because of sympathy the Commander gives Pedro Infante's character who is named Pedro a chance of becoming a Motor Cop. On more than one occasion both do amazing stunts on their Motocycles, in which Pedro first tries to con himself into getting a Job as a Motor Cop by saying that he was a Nephew of the General of the Police Force in el Distrito Federal; and almost goes to Jail as his farce is discovered. He is given instaid the Job of " Barrendero" or Sweeper, for the Barracks, but in time he becomes a Motor Cop. Both Luis and Pedro who cant stand one another, sing songs of love or Rancheras as well as the legendary Parece Que Va Llover, where they sing it on their Motorcycles while riding through the countryside of the then open space surroundings of Ciudad de Mexico, that no longer exist. The film at least ends with them becoming friends after a near death experience, and that is a good way of ending the story for despite so much that they have gone through they can not live without one another.