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| Source: Imdb |
First
off, what's with the title? Is it the city? Is it the ethnic group? No idea,
because this drama about a housekeeper in 1970ies Mexico is about neither, as
far as I can tell.
Anyway, I was - incidentally - in exactly the right mood for this when I watched it. Any other night, I would have probably despaired of the slow, even pace and the mundane day-to-day lives of these characters. I didn't really see the point of the narrative, except to provide a still life of a bygone era. I did love the foreshadowing, the symbolism and hints, the careful details in the background... It gave me a feeling of security in knowing I, as an audience member, was in good hands, and this was not a film that was just belted out like most productions are these days.
The acting, was absolutely awe-inspiring. Especially the lead (Yalitza Aparicio) was stunning, but also the kids and the mom. The directing was masterful as well. It was incredibly satisfying to see Alfonso Cuarón trust his actors to carry this movie and giving them endless takes to unfold and develop their characters. Scenes ran for many minutes without any cuts. This gave the competent cast the chance to build three-dimensional personalities for their roles that went beyond the script. This made them seem far more alive and made them feel somehow more immediate and closer to the audience.
The complete lack of a score only registered with me as I'm writing this review. The film didn't need it. The actors were able to convey all emotions without the aid of a sweeping orchestra.
The choice of making a black-and-white film does not usually attract me, but the cinematography of this was clearly so thought-through that it just worked without seeming either dated or like a lazily converted colour film. The set and costume designers knew what they were doing, as did the photographer.
All in all, a quiet but exquisitely well-made piece of art. A movie to be proud of. Still: 2/5 for very little entertainment value. (4.5/5 for arthouse value alone)
Anyway, I was - incidentally - in exactly the right mood for this when I watched it. Any other night, I would have probably despaired of the slow, even pace and the mundane day-to-day lives of these characters. I didn't really see the point of the narrative, except to provide a still life of a bygone era. I did love the foreshadowing, the symbolism and hints, the careful details in the background... It gave me a feeling of security in knowing I, as an audience member, was in good hands, and this was not a film that was just belted out like most productions are these days.
The acting, was absolutely awe-inspiring. Especially the lead (Yalitza Aparicio) was stunning, but also the kids and the mom. The directing was masterful as well. It was incredibly satisfying to see Alfonso Cuarón trust his actors to carry this movie and giving them endless takes to unfold and develop their characters. Scenes ran for many minutes without any cuts. This gave the competent cast the chance to build three-dimensional personalities for their roles that went beyond the script. This made them seem far more alive and made them feel somehow more immediate and closer to the audience.
The complete lack of a score only registered with me as I'm writing this review. The film didn't need it. The actors were able to convey all emotions without the aid of a sweeping orchestra.
The choice of making a black-and-white film does not usually attract me, but the cinematography of this was clearly so thought-through that it just worked without seeming either dated or like a lazily converted colour film. The set and costume designers knew what they were doing, as did the photographer.
All in all, a quiet but exquisitely well-made piece of art. A movie to be proud of. Still: 2/5 for very little entertainment value. (4.5/5 for arthouse value alone)
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