Drama/Mex
(2006/Genius/IFC)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Film: B-
Writer/director
Gerardo Naranjo’s Drama/Mex (2006)
is a fine independent production about two sets of events that coincide with
each other, but never cross in a ludicrous way.
On one side is an older man unhappy with loneliness and old age, wanting
to commit suicide by hand gun and unfairly involving a younger woman in the
process. The other is a love triangle
where one woman is forced to choose between her old soccer-playing boyfriend
with issues and the good guy she is involved with now.
Taking
place in no less than Acapulco, it becomes as much about the landscape these
people occupy in each other’s lives as the landscape of the locale itself, but
not in either a pretentious or Antonionian way.
The film takes its time and in 83 minutes manages to show and say much
convincingly in the way relationship unspools realistically. This is a mature work, including in its
dealing with human sexuality and its restraint without censorship is something
too long lost in U.S. Indies. You can
see why the actor Gael Garcia Bernal was involved as an Executive
Producer. This is one of the best low
budget films of the year.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image was shot in Super 16mm for scope and the
result is a good look that works to the advantage of the film’s naturalism and
drama. Though it means lighter colors
and definition (guess they used easier to develop stocks) if this DVD is
accurate, it is a good looking film. The
Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix has dialogue that is very center channel and shows
its low-budget origins, while ambiance is the main concern of the surround
channels. There are sadly no extras, but
make sure you don’t miss it!
- Nicholas Sheffo
