Barrios altos

This recently aired on TCM Imports and man is it shockingly bad. Like a really weak DePalma film (think Femme Fatale) that was clearly influenced by Desperately Seeking Susan (which was made two years prior). So many interesting scenes- that we never get to see. Sex between the two main characters (we come in well after the deed), girl locked in steamroom while unconscious (cut to her in the hospital bed recovering) , girl falls off boat (cut to her soaking wet walking on the road). You get the idea. There's not one moment of suspense in the whole film. Someone said the editing was good. Huh? It was embarrassing, with some cuts making me think this was a tv movie and there were cuts for commercials. I only wrote this review to save others from watching if TCM cues it up again. I'll never listen to Alicia Malone again- she obviously had not seen this. Hitchcock? She said "Hitchcock". Straight garbage.

Verónica (Victoria Abril) is getting bored with divorced life. Her son would rather stay with his father. Her masseuse Carlos is on the run from killers. He leaves a package in a train station washroom and her a message to pick it up right before he gets killed. The police believes the gay Carlos committed suicide. She picks up the package which leads to The Hungarian.

Victoria Abril is great. I love that she hates being called Mrs. Miralles. Even the little moments like her searching for the package and happens upon a mirror which makes her stop to check her face. The movie falters with its convoluted plot and its conveniences. I hoped that it would turn into an action thriller after she gets beaten up. The story stays a bit of a mess.

Quirky. That's the best adjective I can come up with.

If you subtracted the nudity and simulated sex, it could well be a Hallmark Channel Mystery movie. It's sort of like a grown-up Nancy Drew.

It's worth one watch if you're a fan of Spanish cinema. Other than that, don't expect to be fulfilled.

The editing is expert. The directing and acting are par for the course. The music score gives it all away with its carnival themes.

It's definitely entertaining. I doubt I will watch it again. There's simply not enough meat here on the proverbial bones.

Undoubtedly, it's fun, if that's all there is to it.