Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ASTONISHING, CRUEL, AND SORDID WORK OF ART, February 9, 2003
By A Customer
From cockfights to corruption to lust to touches of perversion and the extremes men (and women) go to in order to escape the ravages of poverty. It's all here and more. The movie brings to mind several filmmakers, Bunuel, whom Ripstein had worked with, Fellini, Rossellini, Kusturica, the ones who can take the dark side of humanity, the depravities and cruelties, and convert them into stories in which you can actually identify with the characters despite the fact that they are less than admirable. This is great cinema, great directing, writing, and acting. It reminded me a lot of Los Olvidados in its depiction of the squalor of rural Mexico and the mythological symbolism. I applaud Ripstein for this slice of torrid existence that leaves you wondering if the whole materialistic system of the world isn't one big cockfight. Ripstein is one of those filmmakers who can say in one shot what would take others less gifted 10 or more hours of film to convey. Very adult and very entertaining. Highly recommended!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ripstein's Bunuelesque masterpiece, July 15, 2003
This is great movie, a morality tale based on the literary genius of one of Juan Rulfo's books, this is a movie that will connect with many audiences in spite of the subject matter. The story evolves around Dionisio Pinzon played by Ernesto Gomez who most recently was seen in the excellent movie "El Callejon de Milagros (Midaq Alley?)." Pinzon is a character who the audience has sympathy for initially but as he learns the ways of the world he becomes despicable. In the beginning of the movie he is a humble towncrier, getting up with the roosters to stand on his little stool to give the news and announcements to his pueblito(little town). His abilities are noticed by a traveling feria(fair) that is in need of someone to hype the cockfights and the feria. He "rescues" an injured cock that was going to be the local dinner and the rest is history. His gallo(cock) is healed and wins many fights for him making him a rich man. Along the way he becomes a gambler and wins lots of money, including the property of his mentor Don Lorenzo, who teaches everything in the sordid world of gambling. He also takes a wife known as La Caponera who was a singer in the feria and who took Pinzon and pulled him out of the tailspin he was in after his gallo lost. They have one child, La Pinzona, who grows up before the camera and has the less than desireable qualities of both her mother and father. In the end the inevitable consequences of Pinzon's wicked ways catch up with him and the only survivor is La Pinzona who carries on the family traditions. There are an abundant number of magnificent scenes that are stories unto themselves that have to be viewed to appreciated. Pinzon becomes one of those people you will hate as he is heartless and ruthless. Somehow the ugliness of Pinzon's life is one that will draw your attention and hold you riveted throughout the movie. Arturo Ripstein learned his lessons well as an assistant to Bunuel in "Exterminating Angel" and dedicates this movie to Bunuel. Ripstein's ability to weave a good story on the screen is a tribute to his mentor. Check this movie out if you've ever had doubts about the destruction gambling or too much power can be to the human condition. This is an excellent piece of filmwork, deserving of your attention now and again. We've all known a Pinzon, Don Lorenzo, La Caponera or La Pinzona; they are the people we all draw inspiration from to never become.
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2.0 out of 5 stars
for fans of the book or Ripstein only, February 24, 2009
This is supposed to be one of Ripstein's better films so I tried to keep an open mind, but... I must say this is not for the casual cinema fan. The 1980s was an absolute low point for Mexican cinema and that shows here in the drab looking production. Certainly part of that is the mood Ripstein wanted to set but it's still depressing. The two lead actors give competent performances but the great void here is entertainment value. El Imperio de la Fortuna is thoroughly overlong and underwhelming. Unfortunately, watching it only reinforced what I already thought about Ripstein's work, namely, that his early films are third-class imitations of Buñuel, and his later work is basically pretentious monotony. I would count El Lugar Sin Limites as his middle / high point and his only film that I can honestly recommend. Ripstein's body of work stands as a counterpoint to the prevailing low-brow cinema movement in Mexico. To me that is like engaging a obvious lunatic in political dialogue on the bus; better would it be to ignore him and say something valid on one's own terms. That said, if you like haute culture cinema you may find this enjoyable.
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DVD ~ Luis Felipe Tovar
DVD ~ Isabela Corona
DVD ~ Patricia Reyes Espindola
DVD ~ Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
DVD ~ Roberto Cobo
