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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a stylish gem, February 13, 2001
This 1995 film is a remake of the 1949 "Salon Mexico" directed by Emilio Fernández, which I wish was available on video, as I have not seen it. The direction by José Luis Garcia Agaraz, the glorious cinematography by Carlos Marcovich, the late '30's sets, the use of color...it's all a sumptuous visual treat, so much so that at times one can get caught up in the look of it, and get lost in the film.The plot starts out with a double murder, and then in flashbacks and from different points of view, the story is told...but as the back of the video box states, no one ever knows what exactly has happened, only how it has affected the lives of those around the murdered couple. The cast is gorgeous, and superb. Maria Rojo, Blanca Guerra, Demian Bichir, Edith Gonzalez, and Alberto Estrella are all great, but Manuel Ojeda is brilliant. He'll break your heart with his declaration of love to "Mercedes" (Rojo), a scene so exquisitely written and acted, you'll want to see it again and again. The composer Aaron Copland, (wonderfully played by Steven Brown) is part of the characters, as a regular at the club, who plays the piano there and is composing "El Salon Mexico" as the story unfolds. Anyone who knows me, knows I adore a good ending. This one made me gasp when I first saw it, with the joy of seeing something so inventive, with so much beauty, style, and character. It's set to Copland's orchestral "El Salon Mexico", and completes this fabulous film making one feel satisfied with having spent 110 minutes with a work of art.
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