I've been trying to get into Jaime H. Hermosillo's films since his recent passing, and i think he's certainly a very interesting and special director, especially in Mexico's film history. I started out with 1977's Matinée, which i really enjoyed, and now i come to this film with some mild interest. And interesting it certainly is.
To tell you the truth i'm still somewhat conflicted on my opinion of this movie, mostly because of how weird and absurd the story is. Our nameless main character sees a cute, mute woman with his blind father and immediately gets attracted by her. We learn soon enough that this woman is just as attracted to him (she literally undresses herself in front of him and her unknowing father) and they hit it off right away. Unfortunately for our couple, this woman and her father and into some weirdo cult of handicapped people, and after an -not really- accident that seriously injures the father, who also happens to be the leader of this cult, insanity and persecution insues.
The film itself is really well made, with some really good acting and shots as well as a great score and atmosphere of dread and anxiety. The film, especially in the 2nd act, can have be pretty frenetic and scary tone and pacing, and the ending in particular is pretty insane. However the film is just kind off.....off, which i suppose was the intended feeling, however i was left wondering what was the point of it other than being a very strange and kind of scary experience. While i was entertained by the characters, i really wasn't invested in any of them, and i kept watching more just to see where the story was going (and some place it went, for sure) rather than to see what happened to these characters. And while this might be me just overanalyzing, but it kind of had a very scummy way of looking at handicapped people, which i assume wasn't the original intention, but having all the people be part of a sinister and creepy cult ain't a good look.
This was a very interesting movie and i'm curious if my perspective changes after a second watch, though who knows when i'll see it again. I would recommend it if your in the mood for some creepy/strange stuff, but you may find yourself confused as to what you just watched.
