Sexo, pudor y lágrimas

In Mexico, the insecure writer Carlos (Víctor Huggo Martin) and his mate, the photographer Ana (Susana Zabaleta), are in crisis of relationship, and lodge for a period in Carlos' apartment their common friend and ex-lover of Ana, Tomas (Demian Bichir), who was traveling around the world for the last years. On the building in the other side of the street, the unfaithful executive Miguel (Jorge Salinas) and his sterile wife and former model Andrea (Cecilia Suárez) are having a troublesome life, and they lodge the former passion of Miguel, the zoologist Maria (Mónica Dionne). After confusions and misunderstandings, the women move together to Miguel's flat, while the men stay together in Carlos' place, disclosing secrets and beginning a war of sexes, where some of them will be hurt.

What a delightful movie "Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas" is! Funny, erotic, dramatic, tragic, very well directed, with magnificent lines, gorgeous and sexy actress and good actors, and a cast that shows an excellent chemistry. One year ago, I saw the same story in the Brazilian movie "Sexo, Amor e Traição" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376873/usercomments-3), but in that occasion I did not know this Mexican original story. The Brazilian remake is basically shot frame by frame, with modifications in the genre story (dramatic in the Mexican, romantic in the Brazilian), but I highly recommend this excellent Mexican dramatic comedy, better and better than the Brazilian romantic comedy version. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Sexo, Pudor e Lágrimas" ("Sex, Shame and Tears")

Actually I enjoyed this movie (and sorry Sergio, I'm not from Mexico). It may not be as great as some claim, but still it has something to offer. Funny and sad at the same time. Not 'typically' Mexican, I mean: it is relevant to western modern life and love relationship in general. Not only to Mexico. Artists (at best) have a vision to express, no matter where they do come from. One should not expect Mexican directors to make only movies about Mexico, Brazilian ones about Brazil, Iranian ones about Iran,... U.S. and European directors are not the only ones that have the right or the ability to be universal. Far from it. (However, a movie can sometimes be time- and location-specific and yet be universal; that's the magic of humankind)

In brief, an interesting movie. Some parts of it are clumsy, but nevertheless it's worth watching it.

In its context, Sexo, Pudor, y Lagrimas IS groundbreaking... I personally dislike the film, but I recognise its importance; seldom had this dialogue been uttered in Spanish in Mexican screens. Yet it is exactly there that the problem lies, I suppose: while some of the ideas espoused are valid, it would be disingenuous to say they are fresh.

A lot of it has a nagging, self-congratulatory feel, and the blend of philosophical reflection with farce would be better left to a seasoned filmmaker such as Woody Allen. For something that aspires to be so authentic, it feels stilted and irrelevant; it brings nothing new to the table. In hindsight, given the film's ambitions, the execution (poorly written characters, contrived situations, overly obvious--show, not tell, right?--points) seems all too... vulgar.

The salvation: good performances, especially from Cecilia Suarez, who provides some of the few genuine moments in this otherwise pretentious mess.

Sexo, Pudor y Lagrimas, is an example of the reality that the mexican couple is living in the finish of the century. I read a coment that said "if Woody Allen were mexican, he was made this picture", i'm agree with that, but as we can see, the mexican industry of movies have a great development in the early 90's, and this picture is one of the better examples of that.

Mexico need more of this pictures, to show the world and the mexican people that in Mexico dont need more "ficheras" pictures

Decent display of daily life of Mexican people in their early 30's and how they deal with sex, passion, and more.

The acting is overall good. These new actors from the new generation of "Cine Mexicano" demonstrate why they are considered among the best. Susana Zabaleta is amazing as always. She's sexy, hot, and talented. The rest of the cast is also great and give a special spark to their characters.

The screenplay is also very good and keeps you interested because there is comedy, drama, romance, and lust. So if you are into new Mexican cinema, you will mostly enjoy this movie.

On the negative side, I must say that this movie is also highly overrated because many consider it as a gem or something. The truth is that it's only purpose was to storm the box office and somehow re-birth these kind of dramatic romance comedies.

Give it a try and be objective.