Matinée (1977) starts its audience off in a cleverly misleading, deliberately low-key manner, but soon sets up a noirish situation for two young boys that cleverly utilizes many believable twists and surprises to build towards both the expected high voltage climax (which itself has one really amazingly credible moment when it seems the vicious, hard-luck gangster has been caught by an alert detective) and a most unexpected, yet natural and character-consistent fade-out. The acting of both the young stars (and in fact, the whole cast, with a special pat on the back for Farnesio de Bernal) is commendably realistic. Writer/director Jaime Humberto Hermosillo never puts a foot wrong either in his vividly powerful, cleverly characterized screenplay or his consistently astute direction with its eye-opening use of real Mexican locations.
3 Reviews
Good
JJthebat7 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Jorge is a young troublemaker that goes with his father to Mexico City, along side his best friend Aaron, without his mother's permission. During the trip, however, their truck is assaulted by a gang of thieves that keep them hostage, which eventually leads to Jorge's father getting killed, leaving the two boys in the care of the thieves.
The two main kids in this film are really great, as while they're not the best actors in the world, they is such good chemistry between the two and are essentially the heart of the film. The directing is also really well done, as the camera has a very nice flow and natural but coordinated movements. The sound design of this film is obviously very dated and crappy, but I guess that's just part for the charm of this old school Mexican films. I guess my main issue with the film would be the story. Like I said, it is a very interesting story, however, I felt like it was a bit rushed and could have moved a bit more patiently. More time with this characters would have given the gut punch at the end of the film that it clearly wanted. While Jorge and Aquiles do spend a lot of time together, if there was a closer connection with these two it would have made Aquiles's death way more impactful. Also, according to Wikipedia (yeah I know, Wikipedia), Francisco and Aquiles are supposed to be a gay couple, which is something I never really got out of their relationship. I guess I'll keep that in mind in a second watch.
Overall, this a really interesting watch and I might have more perspective on the film if I ever see it again. As for now though, I would definitely recommend it.
The two main kids in this film are really great, as while they're not the best actors in the world, they is such good chemistry between the two and are essentially the heart of the film. The directing is also really well done, as the camera has a very nice flow and natural but coordinated movements. The sound design of this film is obviously very dated and crappy, but I guess that's just part for the charm of this old school Mexican films. I guess my main issue with the film would be the story. Like I said, it is a very interesting story, however, I felt like it was a bit rushed and could have moved a bit more patiently. More time with this characters would have given the gut punch at the end of the film that it clearly wanted. While Jorge and Aquiles do spend a lot of time together, if there was a closer connection with these two it would have made Aquiles's death way more impactful. Also, according to Wikipedia (yeah I know, Wikipedia), Francisco and Aquiles are supposed to be a gay couple, which is something I never really got out of their relationship. I guess I'll keep that in mind in a second watch.
Overall, this a really interesting watch and I might have more perspective on the film if I ever see it again. As for now though, I would definitely recommend it.
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