Inspiración

I confess that I saw this movie searching for something of what the mexican Cinema has offered lately: Amores Perros(My favorite movie), Sexo, Pudor y Lagrimas, etc. I can't deny I laughed a little bit, but this movie is a big disappointment. Very predictable, forced humor. If you like mexican soap operas, you will enjoy this one.

Bárbara Mori stars in her motion picture debut as Alejandra. Alejandra is the object of desire of Gabriel (Arath de la Torre), whom he sees by chance at a nightclub while on a blind date his friend set up for him. Gabriel knows nothing about Alejandra except for her name, which he asked her before she made a hasty exit.

Afterwards, Gabriel is consumed by her and can not stop thinking of her. He writes some poetry or verses to a song he is trying to write about her, which is why I guess this movie is called Inspiración (or Inspiration in English). Eventually, Gabriel runs into Alejandra again and this time, he follows her to her home and actually meets her. Soon they are dating but Gabriel wants more of the relationship than Alejandra, and it ends before it really gets started. The rest of the movie is spent with Gabriel chasing Alejandra around trying to win her over.

This movie, in reality, is a romance, or as I have heard it put here, something like a Mexican soap opera (I have never seen one so I can not say for myself). It tries to be a comedy as much as a romantic story but falls hard in that category. I laughed out loud once. Thankfully, it did not rely on the comedy to keep the viewer interested.

Truthfully, I watched this movie only because Bárbara Mori is in it. I may as well be as smitten as Gabriel was but I have only seen her in Maxim magazine and wanted to see her act, which she does quite well. Hopefully, we will see more of Bárbara in the coming years as she has the beauty and the talent to become successful.

Arath de la Torre was a decent actor, but his attempts a comedy were extremely forced, such as in Who's Your Daddy. It was a little over the top and the whole story was missing something I can not quite put my finger on. Worth a rental if you do not mind subtitles. 6/10

'Inspiración' isn't. For those who have the patience to sit through this Mexican extended novella, discovering that other countries are capable of producing the kind of summer chick flick messes that Hollywood cranks out ad infinitum will be the surprising reward. Written and directed by Angel Mario Huerta and starring a group of Mexican TV actors, 'Inspiración' has little to recommend it.

A group of Macho guys (supposedly teenagers although all of the actors are obviously aged well beyond that!) with little on their minds except dating, doing the club scene, sporting wagers about girls as though the girls were game-things for goals, spur on the naive Gabriel (Arath de la Torre) to pursue a beauty he merely glimpses and gets a first name Alejandra (Bárbara Mori). Gabriel in 'inspired' to write poetry (not a pastime appropriate to macho men...) in response to Alejandra, has a confrontation with his father that begins with the usual flair of son not living up to father ideals and ends with a complete reversal of tears and forgiveness..., and is rigged into assignation with his 'inspiration'. Each move Gabriel makes to woo Alejandra results in disaster in situations intended to be humorous but that are really just gross or silly.

It is the old, tired story of boy meets girl, boy falls all over himself to impress, girl initially responds but is gradually repulsed by boy's insipid arrogance and behavior, boy looses hold on girl, and eventually boy gets girl. Yes, that is it! The acting is almost as weak as the script and direction and while some of the actors are attractive people, they have no sense of comedy or love chemistry or charisma. The film is overproduced, with more emphasis on décolletage than on character development, and in the end the only saving grace is seeing Monterey, Mexico and surrounding areas to advantage. Definitely a class B movie that probably should not have been exported. 92 long minutes in length and in Spanish with English subtitles. Grady Harp

This was a comedy with melodrama acting, it made sense that it was weird, odd and original. No it wasn't the best movie i've seen but it's a great movie. When I see a foreign movie I don't identify the Place by the characters. Just like "Y Tu Mama Tambien" Mexicans don't usually jerk off in pools and have sex with their best friends. To me this movie was a sample of some kids being kids, immature at times yet at the same time in the middle of being adults and trying to share their new experiences with their old friends. When the main character tried to share his poems with his buddies, you can relate to that and at the same time you know that the guy that made fun of him wasn't going to be his long time friend, it has happened to all of us. Case in point,it's a comedy don't take it so seriously and its a movie, lighten up.

I wish all my dates would end like this!

I mean, the plot is oriented for the upper social classes in México let me tell you. The places where the couple visit are really expensive and exclusive but I guess the director's intention was to display how love can come across all barriers.

Barbara Mori is simply spectacular on her looks; she's extremely sexy, hot and she can also act. The chemistry between her and De la Torre worked perfect for the movie because it looked like both had a great time working together.

I can recommend this movie for a first date; it will do some magic. Otherwise, just watch it when it airs on t.v. it's not worth your money.

"Inspiración" is part of México's new way of making romantic comedies.