Vermelho Sangue

Mexican director Arturo Ripstein delivers one good drama after the other, and in so doing shows us ever changing aspects of this surprisingly rich country, so unfairly characterized around the world by cliched stereotypes. Though this crime drama doesn't help Mexico's image as a crime-ridden country throughout its history, it does tell a compelling story, free of cliches, of obsessed love driven to serial killings in an unusual road movie. This description, though long, sums up PROFUNDO CARMESI. Ripstein's direction is enhanced by the dramatic presence of Spain's Marisa Paredes in a crucial role. A must for those interested in contemporary Latin American cinema.

"Deep Crimson", a subtitled Mexican film, tells of a man who uses his hair-piece, good looks, and charm to bilk mature women out of their money. When he woos a very large and homely woman longing to be loved, she divests herself of her children, insinuates herself into his life, and goes off scamming with him while pretending be his sister. The backbone of the story is the strange symbiosis which develops between the partner/lover duo as we watch their relationship grow deeper and their scheming more nefarious. A moderately entertaining though schizophrenic film, "Deep Crimson" is too much of a comedy to be taken seriously and too much of a drama to be funny. The result is a marginally engaging film which will play best to those with a taste for black comedies from south of the border. (B)

Viewed the film for the first time last night. I was familiar with the Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck 'Lonely Hearts Club' murders for years. I had no idea it was turned into a film adaptation. I thought the film was done extremely well. It's disheartening to see two people who seem so insecure go to these lengths to feel they are loved by someone, seemingly anyone. Nicolas who seems to be in total control at the start of the movie, looses the ball.. and Coral, runs with it. He is a confidence trickster who has finally has met his match in Coral, she is just what he was so in need of, a woman who is willing to do anything it takes to be with him. This giving him a boost in his waning self confidence. Leaving her two young children at a doorstep of an orphanage, because he can't be bothered with them, was all she needed to prove her loyalty to him. They begin to portray themselves as brother and sister, in a scam across the countryside to take advantage of widows/lonely women on their own. This starts to go painfully wrong from the beginning. Coral agrees to not be jealous of Nicolas' affections/pursuits toward the women he is out to scam, after all, it's just part of the act. It seems a harder task for her than she assumed it would be. They manage to stay calm and in control all the way through this. The most bizarre thing about this film,is that it really did happen. As, I mentioned it was loosely based on the aforementioned murders. Although mainly a fictional work, some of the mechanics, were there. The strong need in some for submission from another. The longing for a loyal lover, romance and excitement. This remarkable blend of dark lust and true crime won't disappoint.

Arturo Ripstein's "Deep Crimson" is based on the same Lonely Heart Killers case that inspired "The Honeymoon Killers". Regina Orozco is riveting as the unattractive and fundamentally unlikeable nurse who abandons her children to take up with Daniel Giménez Cacho's pathetic, balding gigolo. They answer letters from lonely widows with the intention of robbing them, but jealousy and general incompetence lead them into a string of murders. Despite the sordid and depressing subject matter, the film has a distinct satirical edge and is often quite funny. Highly recommended, especially for fans of the earlier film.

Deep Crimson-Arturo Ripstein This is an absolute gem of a retelling of the famous TRUE "Lonely Heart's Club Killers". Originally made as the "Honeymoon Killers", this Mexican version is totally representative of the true story. An obese nurse connects up with a con artist, who is stealing from rich widows, using a newspaper lonely hearts club source. Soon, after the nurse goes nutzoid over this creep, she gives up her children, and joins him in ripping off and killing available divorcée's and widows. The original film is a favorite of mine, as it is extremely gruesome, but carries a black comedy edge the first 2/3 of the film, and then it gets extremely nasty. As in the original, the psycho couple must deal with a Mother and her Child, and it is depicted here pretty well, but not as gruesome as the original. Nevertheless, this version pulls no punches, and in the end, goes way way beyond the original. This was considered very very shocking stuff in the original "Honeymoon Killers", and the ending of this one is totally stunning. This Mexican version is almost as good, if not better than the original. The extremely disturbing story, which is true, is superbly well made in this version. If you see this version for the first time, you will want to see "Honeymoon Killers", and if you already know "Honeymoon Killers", then "Profundo Carmesí" is a rare treat. I can't recommend this movie any higher, with the exception of "The Honeymoon Killers". Take your pick, they are both gruesome, and disgusting as hell. The edge is, this actually happened.