Perro callejero (1980) User Reviews

The complicated Mexico City during the 80's

[gus-calderon · 8/10 · 15 September 2011]

This movie was made during the era of the Fichera's Films in Mexico, for most of people the worst era of Mexican Film Industry, where there was nothing to show but corrupt police, ficheras (kind of prostitutes) and a hero. The Fichera's movies used to have very low budget, poor scripts and the worst special effects available in those days; they used to show some naked women and acting was not that important.

You could say that Perro Callejero is a Fichera's Movie because it is about a poor guy who is born in a low neighborhood, surrounded by ficheras, thieves and corrupt policemen. The movie does not have a great production and Fichera's Movies actors perform most of the acting, however you get a great surprise when you watch this film. The script and the film in general, are a very clear picture of the low life in Mexico City during the 80's, Valentin Trujillo performance is splendid, maybe the best in all his career, in the end, even when it looks like a Fichera's Movie it is not, this is one of those movies that the time is going to recognize and in order to enjoy the movie, it is absolutely necessary to get rid of any prejudice about the actors or the productions made during those years.

The other side of Mexican society in the 80s

[TheMexFilm · 8/10 · 14 April 2024]

Personally, I was never a big fan of the cinema that was produced during the era of stock cinema, because it showed a very low quality of film and photography, in addition to the fact that it did not provide class entertainment or edifying knowledge for society. Personally, I was never a big fan of the cinema that was produced during the era of stock cinema, because it showed a very low quality of film and photography, in addition to the fact that it did not provide class entertainment or edifying knowledge for society.

But I think that with the release of Perro Callejero, we realized that not all the cinema that was produced in those years was bad and that even if it had very poor quality, it could surprise us and show a reality very different from what most We Mexicans are used to it.

Perro Callejero is par excellence the maximum expression of the story of a young man who has not been at the top of society, on the contrary he has been at the worst that this society can offer and shows us how little by little those blacks and whites live. That little by little lead him to discover the most beautiful and ugly things this world offers.

An interesting detail is that it was recorded in the Tepito neighborhood, since we wanted it to be as realistic as possible and despite having a short budget and moderate photography quality, it showed us that a lot can be done with a little, in fact I believe that this The movie is underrated nationally more than it is internationally.

In my personal opinion, I believe that this film is part of the popular culture of those years, because it showed us that many times the world is more irreverent than we think and that fiction can be as real as reality itself.

With great performances, a cast with good cover letters, shots and photographs that, despite being average, offer a lot of quality and excellent locations, this film exceeds all the expectations that I imagine it originally could have had, which makes it a masterpiece of a genre. Which wasn't that good.

I define it as the vision of society in the 80s that was ignored or unknown by many men in high society.

The raw reality of the lower class. Excellent black/comedy drama.

[insomniac_rod · 9/10 · 10 December 2006]

Excellent Drama that displays the horrible reality of the lower class in Mexican society. Perro (played masterfully by cult actor Valentin Trujillo -R.I.P.-) lived a life of crime since his childhood thus he was a juvenile and later a delinquent. He didn't have a true home and only Father "Maromas" would take legal custody and cared about him as his own son.

The movie starts with a probably 4 year old Perro crying for his father who was murdered on the street. Perro has nowhere to go so he joins a group of street children who take care of him. Then, a raging alcoholic beggar takes care of Perro but he brutally hits him until again, Perro is aided by the street boys. But that's when Perro's life of crime begins. He starts stealing until he is captured by police and sent to a juvenile prison. There he meets his fellow comrade Flautas and both start a friendly and business alliance.

But Perro is a bad seed and could never change. In prison, a humble religious man known as Father Maromas takes legal custody of Perro and even takes him to a poor children shelter he build. But Perro can't stop his criminal behavior and even steals from Father Maromas (even knowing that the money was for re-storing their home). But he couldn't deal with his conscience and stole once again to give Maromas his money back. Perro, along with his loyal sidekicks Flautas and Andrès, stole with violence from a local loaner. But Perro couldn't get away with his crime because Andrès not only stole money, but a Rolex. He later sold it to Elizondo's character (a pimp cop); friend with Tamarindo (a bad-ass judicial) who captured him and Perro.

Perro's destiny was jail and that's where he ended up.

Great dramatic with bits of exploitation. This is how Mexican barrios suffer with problems like drugs, prostitution, traffic influences, homicides, weapons, etc.

There are some cult scenes in Mexican cinema like when Maromas flagelates himself for Perro's sins. Also, the last scene where Perro is taken into the police car when "Tu Eres Mi Amigo del Alma" plays on the background. Weird if you ask, but fill perfectly in the movie's theme.