By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.4
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Emilio Echevarrio | Gael García Bernal | Goya Toledo
Country: mexico
Year: 2001
Running time: 153
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245712/reference
Hilary says: “AMORES PERROS is a film that I’d heard a lot about, but wasn’t sure would be to my liking. However, I found myself completely drawn in for the entire 2-plus hours.
“Initially I was taken aback by the violent treatment of the various dogs — it occurred to me that although I’ve seen scores of human deaths in film, domestic animals were an entirely different story. Despite this, I watched with interest as the story enfolded and began to interweave the lives of the characters from the three main storylines.
“I agree with most of the other member reviews that the second vignette with the supermodel was the most interesting, though I was also compelled by the character ‘Octavio’ from the first story.
“The cinematography and sound design/track created a strong geographic and emotional environment — you could almost feel the grit of the city, the claustrophobia, the inner conflicts of the characters.
“All in all, surprisingly satisfying. González Iñárritu gets a nom for director from me.”
Kevin says: “I also recently saw AMORES PERROS. I think it was Laura who compared it to Kieslowski… I definitely agree. The huge poster of the model outside her apartment was quintessential K. I’ve read a lot of raves for this film…which I don’t really think it deserves. I liked it; I thought a lot of the ideas and main themes were brilliant and a lot of the acting was superb…but director Iñárritu really stretched the whole thing a bit farther than he should’ve…esta película es demasiada larga! a lot of the subplots were dull, and the movie could have used a little more momentum. it’s beautifully filmed and nicely thought out but needed a better script. my favorite segment was the 2nd…the whole thing with the dog running around under the floorboards was brilliant.” 4 cats
Laura says: “This movie is simply outstanding. It’s been compared to PULP FICTION, but I disagree – while characters and story threads intersect, this doesn’t have Tarantino’s brand of hipster pop culture. Lots of subtle film references/homages, in particular Kieslowski’s RED. Three separate stories about people and their dogs collide at one Mexico City car crash. Beware there is violence – against animals as well (dog fighting for bets), which some people find hard to take (the filmmakers were very careful with the dogs – a notice to that effect appears before the film for American audiences). This aspect didn’t bother me, surprisingly. I don’t really have time to do this justice right now, but wanted to recommend it – highly. 5 cats
“For more of Laura’s review: http://www.reelingreviews.com/amoresperros.htm”
Michael says: “This is a high energy, Mexican thriller following three interwoven storylines brought together by a car crash. Violence, brutality (both physical and emotional) and mercy run through this film as characters and their dogs share similar fates and characteristics. Of particular note is the second storyline where Mexico’s most famous fashion model, a victim in the car accident, finds her new relationship, and eventually her entire life, irrevocably altered. 3.5 cats
Nathaniel says: I saw this film due exclusively to the rave reviews and the Oscar nominations… normally I stay FAR away from anything with animal cruelty. While I can’t say it’s my favorite of the year I certainly respected it. First the good: I thought the use of sound was extraordinary -the best since THE INSIDER (99) for the overall effect of the music, sound effects (particularly in the middle section the sound was harrowing), dialogue, everything working beautifully for perfect tonal and emotional impact. The cinematography also lovely (albeit in a sick way)-you could practically feel the grime.
“But I still didn’t love the film. It’s technically masterful but I found the Kieslowski references to be too much. It opens with a car crash. You have the three stories vaguely intertwined also connected through a crash (Kieslowski had the boating accident offscreen) the model and her billowing billboard… etc… The older man who is detached from others due to sins/mistakes of the past. I haven’t seen the Trois Coleurs trilogy in a few years but they remain favorites. I just couldn’t stop thinking KIESLOWSKI while I was watching it. I didn’t find it to be Tarantino-esque at all (though a lot of reviews have been mentioning that filmmaker.)
“On the other hand the use of animals to mirror owners was very effective, original, and even symbolically flexible (always a good thing) and again it’s technically difficult to argue with this film. I just thought Innaritu was wearing his influences on his sleeve to a strange degree. I’m just not sure if I was watching homage or outright theft. Everyone speaks of its originality but it felt like huge sections of it were just lifted from Kieslowski and then mixed with physical brutality for a new twist. My reaction to this film troubled me…
Robin says: “Of the three stories told, though all are compelling, El Chivo’s is the most dynamic and richly defined, mainly due to the amazing presence of Echevarria as The Goat. You learn that he has a violent past, but he surprises you as the layers of his life are stripped away for us to see what makes him tick. El Chivo’s aging, handsome face says volumes in his expressions and the man, in a mostly solo perf, captivates the screen. The raw power of Echevarria performance overshadows the good perfs by the rest of the ensemble, but all are noteworthy and make all three stories thought provoking tomes.” 5 cats
“For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/amoresperros.htm”
Scot says: “One would have to try hard to convince me there was much photographic skill shown in the hyper-verité style used to mask a lack of suspense.”
Stephen says: “AMORES PERROS works on many different levels, although dog lovers different from those it is named after might be well advised to stay away from it. The screenplay doesn’t just arrange three different stories around the same accident, but shows other ways in which the various characters intersect each others lives, even though they travel in very different social and economic circles. It also uses the various elements in an unforced but effective symbolic system, which gains power as the film progresses. For instance the first dog and the old hit man become very appropriate companions for each other, veteran killers as they are. This is one of those rare films that keeps you enthralled as you watch it, and keeps getting better as you think about it later.” 4 1/2 cats
For Stephen’s complete review: “http://www.stephenbrophy.org/review/intl/amoresperros”
Trent says: “I was completely engrossed. AMORES PERROS starts, much like RUN, LOLA, RUN, in the middle of a crisis. Instantly you are drawn in and made to care about the characters. As Laura said there are three different storylines and each one is different enough from the other. Not only do you get to see how every character got to the point of the car accident but you get to see them after the accident as well. My favorite storyline was the wonderful character study of the fashion model, her pampered pooch, and her new, still married boyfriend. Very believable and emotionally grueling.”