Zurdo

For me, "Zurdo" is a kind of a film-a-clef, not because it disguises real events, but rather because I was confused all throughout the first half of the film until I came upon an interpretational key that put everything in perspective. The key is as follows: "Zurdo" is essentially about two years worth of weekly Mexican futuristic soap opera, compacted into feature-length format. The plot and the setting are nominally fantastic, but this structure is entirely filled with classical soap opera content.

The beauty of this setup has dawned on me only towards the end of the film. Every soap-opera-tearjerking-scene, every sob, every cliché have been compacted at a ratio of about 5:1. There are no pauses between the closely intercut scenes, sometimes the viewer is rushed between three different locations within a minute. The effect is that every scene, gesture and word become a reference to themselves. What allows the director to do this is that the elements soap opera are immediately recognizable; no time need be spent on the development.

If not only a post-modernist treatment of the soap opera genre, it might well be that "Zurdo" is the high-bandwidth soap opera of the future.

"Zurdo" seems to be one of a kind in Mexican's film history. Or at least a film of a kind that had not been seen for a long long time. It is a fantasy movie aimed to all audiences without being dumb or preachy, without stereotypes or vulgarity; it is an intelligent and original movie that delivers nothing but fun and good entertainment.

Carlos Salcés, a young director with a solid career as an editor of other well-known Mexican movies, makes a simple thing like playing marbles the topic of his first feature with amazing results. Alexandro (Álex Perea), nicknamed "Zurdo", is a young kid in a futuristic fantasy version of a Mexican small town. He has an extraordinary ability to play marbles, and his great skill at the game doesn't go unnoticed. A mysterious stranger (Eugenio Derbez) from a neighbor town challenges Zurdo to a duel against the champion of his town, with a enormous prize in cash. The town makes Zurdo to accept and soon he becomes the center of the town's attention as everyone wants to make a profit of Zurdo's ability.

With big influence from Japanese comic books and Mexican folklore, Salcés paints his futuristic world with great care for details, and despite its low budget, he creates a captivating world that also mimics Mexico's sociology. The always present theme of the corrupt government in Mexican movies is here too, in the shape of Romo (Alejandro Camacho), a man who pretends to use Zurdo's talent for evil purposes while he abuses Zurdo's community. As one would expect, marbles play a great part in the movie, not only as a plot device, but also as a metaphor. While the movie is aimed to kids, it raises good points to the adult audience.

Aléx Perea is great as Zurdo, as well as the other child actors, something noteworthy as it is kind of rare to find this on a movie. Alejandro Camacho does his usual good take on an evil character like the parts that made him famous on Mexican TV soap operas and Eugenio Derbez surprises with a subtle serious performance, far away from his usual over-the-top comedy.

Probably because of the background the cast, the movie at times feels like a fantasy version of a soap opera; and while this only noticeable in a scene or two, it shows that Salcés has a bit of too much influence from that kind of TV shows. Other than that, the movie is flawless; even its CG effects look very good for the budget, and while I'm not a fan of electronic music, Paul Van Dyk's soundtrack fits the movie perfectly and has a soul that most music of this kind doesn't have.

"Zurdo" is the perfect movie to watch with the family and one that sadly has been overlooked when speaking of recent Mexican cinema. It is very entertaining and never gets boring. The story is very original and well constructed with characters that are likable and believable. It is a different experience to common Latin American movies and definitely one of the best Mexican movies ever made. 9/10

this movie was better than i expected. very very moving and original. this is the type of movie that can make Spanish, Latinos, and Mexicans proud. I'm showing this movie to everyone i know and i highly recommend it. The visual and audio aspects of the movie were very well done. the only thing i did not like was the techno music they would occasionally play, but that's a small issue that doesn't matter. Whoever the director is, you can be sure that i will follow their career and movies he or she makes in the future. Please, if you see it, rent it or buy it. Another Hispanic/Mexican/Spanish movie i would recommend is "killing words", that is also a great movie.

A very original concept, backed up with some good acting, and a great/modern score by Paul van Dyk. The Mexican roots of the movie add the special thing about it. With some Japanese influences, the fictional world is filled with Latin/Mexican influences, from the colors and everyday life situations, to the plot in which the movie is based (corruption, role of a child in Mexican/Latin society, gambling, etc...). Sad about it, its that the movie barely gained recognition, not even in its own market, and I wonder if it even came out of Mexico. Great movie, since it comes from such a simple idea with an uncanny result.

This is the worst movie i have ever seen. Since I'm Mexican i know much of the actors and they are talentless, underachieved, lame, performers.

The music is also a sad intent of what the director thinks futuristic music will be, Paul Van Dyk has probably never seen this movie and if he did he would probably be ashamed.

Its like a third world Mad Max meets a cheap Mexican version of star wars.

Its a low budget futuristic film, and all the good comments about this film were probably written down by members of the crew.

I suggest this movie gets submitted for the bottom hundred, so if someone wants a bad movie they wont be disappointed.