Customer Reviews

Highway Patrolman [VHS]

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I initially found out about this film from a trailer years ago in a small art house theater. The trailer showed a Mexican state patrolman desperately trying to make it up a hill towards burnt car wreckage dragging a damaged leg, clutching a huge assault rifle. "New Film From Alex Cox": I knew it was at least worth checking out. The theater release sank quickly, but I tracked down a VHS copy, and was amazed by how good this movie is. It's a "small" film, directed in Mexico with a Mexican cast (English subtitles) and the help of his Mexican-born wife. The story centers around a young rookie highway patrolman attempting (and sometimes failing) to lead an ethical life in a sometimes unethical world. A humane portrait of people living under pressure. This film's worth seeing just for the haunting cinematography. Highway Patrolman underscores the fact that life ain't easy, but it can be lived and lived even with quiet dignity and beauty.

Zaide Sylvia Gutierrez is the poo-the salt of the earth when it comes to conveying the Mexicana(she did not do too badly when she portrayed a Guatemalan Refugee in El Norte" either). Life is Brutal in Mexico-corruption and poverty abound and there is a survival mentality-lofty ideals are lost quickly and this film shows it very well-Pedro personifies this rapid decline from Ideals to a type of amoral survival-this is a must see film.