“Amores Perros” is a Mexican film that highlights many problems that currently affect the country. The film consists of three separate stories that are linked together through one old man. In the first story, two brothers are forced to use different tactics to earn money to support their family. Ramiro supports his wife and child by working and a grocery store and robbing convenience stores. Octavio gets caught up in the world of dog fighting to try and make enough money so he can take his brother’s wife and run away. Since the brothers’ living conditions are so poor, the easiest way to earn money seems to be through unmoral acts. When countries face poverty, it is common for crime rates to be high in countries all over the world. Dog fighting is also a current problem even in the United States with football player Michael Vick.
The second story consists of a man leaving his wife in order to live with his famous mistress. This story is filled with lies and adultery. Like the first story, the second story is very global and could happen in any modern country today. The corruption continues in the third story when a business man hires the old man to kill his business partner. The old man turns the table in an unexpecting way on the business man. “Amores Perros” consists of moral dilemmas that revolve around love. Like the name states, the characters learn that love is a bitch.
The film uses different techniques to set the mood of the film. Using high contrast lighting and shadows, the movie has a dark, corrupt feel to it. Like Mexico itself, the film shows stories of the rich and poor. Mexico’s classes are separated greatly and the film shows these differences. Unique editing choices separate the stories. During the dramatic scenes at the end of the stories, the film cuts to black and introduces the new characters in the story. It does a great job of separating the stories and keeping the viewer interested. Using these techniques, “Amores Perros” tells a great story that shows global aspects of Mexican cinema.
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I like how in the second story, the man is about to reconsider his relationship to head back with his family due to the incidences that have taken place. It truly shows the downside of "sweep away" love and strengthens the meaning Amores Perros is trying to tell people.
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ReplyDeleteI like how you said that the classes are separated in the film to show the class separation in Mexico. Maybe you could tie this into globalization. There are class separations all around the world, including here in the US. They just are not as prevalent here. I agree that the story does a good job of keeping the viewer interested. There is rarely a dull moment and the audience is always on the edge of their seat.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you and Alyssa, the separation of scenes is a very key component to this film. I think that the fast pace of the film in coordination with the use of various camera angles also help keep the audience's attention. The story definitely keeps with global aspects all throughout and aside from the mere language barrier, this film can be understood from most people around the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point of the separation of the scenes. I had not noticed this when I watched the movie, but now that you mention it, I think that the director did this on purpose and very well so, to highlight the differences between the social classes.
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