cinesphere Reviews

Déficit (2007)

good first movie

[7/10 · 14 September 2007]

I'm shocked that 195 reviewers (so far) have given this film an average under 4. I saw it today at the Toronto Film Festival and it was extremely well received.

On the surface, this is the story of a house party in Mexico. Gael Garcia Bernal stars as Cristobel, a rich young man at a turning point in his life. He is trying to deal with other people's expectations for him, and his own wishes.

Although it isn't plot intensive, it does effectively portray class/racial divide in Mexican society.

Gael, Luz and the writer were at the screening. In fact, Gael has been at almost everything in town and has really shown himself to be a wonderfully warm, intelligent and sociable person. He is the sort of actor/director we always hope to encounter - he's promoting his film and himself and having a great time doing it. It's a refreshing change from the other too-busy, too- cool crew that miss screenings even when they are in town.

Interesting film; great job by Gael and team.

El pasado (2007)

Loved it until half way through

[6/10 · 13 September 2007]

I just saw this film at the Toronto Film Festival. The director and Gael Garcia Bernal were both there (which was quite a thrill).

I don't want to give too much away about the plot, but essentially this film looks at the different ways men and women react to a breakup. It was very interesting, well acted and profound and I enjoyed it thoroughly until about halfway through. Unfortunately, the last part really bothered me and took me from rating it at an 8 or 9 to a 6.

As a woman, I did see myself - to a point- in the first part. I also gained a better understanding on why some men react to a relationship's end as they do. Unfortunately, the final half of the film made some deeply disturbing generalizations about women and their emotional stability, and I was left perturbed. It's one thing to give certain attributes to a character; It's another when an entire gender is implicated.

Nonetheless, the performances are all marvelous. See it - but prepare to have a conversation about it after wards!

Building a Broken Mousetrap (2006)

A sensory experience

[7/10 · 14 September 2006]

If you love punk or are open minded to the enjoyment of music in general, you may love this film. If you despise punk or require a strong plot line in your films, this will not be for you.

Building a Broken Mousetrap gives the viewer a new experience of music that is both close to the sensation of seeing a band live and yet so otherworldly that it is almost a contrast. The film uses visual images to illustrate, complement and emphasize aspects of the music, the way we are more used to seeing in animated shorts. The result is at best, hypnotic, at worst frustrating (but that's only if you are determined to find a plot). If you let yourself be captured by the music you will be stunned at how powerful it is, how extraordinary the band (The Ex) are and how exceptionally well individual sounds can clash to become a punk symphony that is strong and profound.