Un monstre à mille têtes

Un monstruo de mil cabezas is a compact film that is thrilling from start to finish and where every minute counts. It is a perfect use of film as a movement without hammering down its goal. Sonia Bonet, played fantastically by Jana Raluy, is a woman desperate and left without choices and in a now-or-never kind of moment, she proceeds to accomplish her goal whatever it takes. And her reasons are impossible not to sympathise with. It is perfectly paced, going from one location to the other while holding one's breath, and the emotional impact is strong.

In the vein of Falling Down, an ok-ish little gritty movie of the small guy vs the monstrous corporate.

Worth a watch that doesn't really go anywhere but the journey keeps you interested...

I will say that this was a thoroughly entertaining flick, but there were various problems throughout. From a character perspective, they were well-written and although short, the film's themes and ideas come across clearly. However, some of the cinematography is really distracting and instead of feeling like it was deliberate, it just comes across very strangely. Maybe it was intentional, but I found it to be lacking. However, that's as far as the flaws go. The performances are pretty good and the film's pacing is well-maintained through. It doesn't rush through things but it also takes its time. This is a solid film that is definitely recommended.

The capitalist system swallows and digests everything that lies ahead. Thanks to "market freedom", real crimes are perpetrated. We could also talk about the "health business" of many others, such as the "nursing home". Rodrigo Plá sets his sights on any case: a man, father of a family, with cancer, who does not receive medication to cure himself. His wife is unwilling to be teased after eighteen years of continued payments. The "mutual" does not pay for that medication because it does not fall within their schemes and there is the conflict. The script is perfect just as the staging is exemplary: cold, minimalist, etc. If there is something that Plá stands out for, it is how he looks at history: open, large (1x2: 35), well framed. She does not want tears, or primary emotions. For this he has Jana Raluy (the wife) and Sebastián Aguirre (the son). Magnificent. A story that happens and that is repeated in Mexico or ... in Spain. Unpublished in our country.

"Un Monstruo De Mil Cabezas" (A Monster with a Thousand Heads), directed by Rodrigo Plá, is a 2015 Mexican thriller that, while not a grand spectacle, effectively delivers its message within the confines of its modest budget. Plá's direction is characterized by a taut and efficient narrative style, prioritizing the suspenseful unfolding of events over stylistic flourishes. The film's cinematography, while restrained, aptly captures the protagonist's claustrophobic world, where bureaucratic hurdles and systemic corruption reign supreme.

Jana Raluy's performance as Sonia Bonet anchors the film, portraying a woman driven to the edge by an unyielding insurance company that refuses to authorize her husband's life-saving treatment. Raluy's depiction of Sonia's transformation from a submissive wife to a determined, and at times violent, advocate for her husband is both chilling and captivating. The supporting cast, including Sebastián Aguirre and Emilio Echevarría, deliver equally compelling performances, further enriching the film's exploration of moral ambiguity.

"Un Monstruo De Mil Cabezas" resonates with the frustrations and anxieties of contemporary society, where individuals often feel powerless against monolithic corporations and indifferent institutions. The film raises important questions about the systems that govern our lives and the lengths to which one might go to protect their loved ones.

While the film's bleak tone and unflinching depiction of violence may not be suitable for all viewers, it remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that warrants attention. It serves as a testament to the enduring ability of cinema to shed light on the darker aspects of society and to amplify the voices of those who feel unheard.