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La Ley De Herodes (2000)
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Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 16
Rotten:8
Average Rating: 6.3/10
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence, sexuality and language
Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Theatrical Release:Jun 13, 2003 Limited
Synopsis: Artistically photographed in a characteristic sepia tone, "Herod's Law" is a controversial and delirious comic fable told in a deliciously sarcastic tone. The story is set in 1949 in the... Artistically photographed in a characteristic sepia tone, "Herod's Law" is a controversial and delirious comic fable told in a deliciously sarcastic tone. The story is set in 1949 in the authentically designed village of San Pedro de los Saguaros, a small town of 100 habitants, where the last few mayors have been lynched. Consequently, amidst the proximity of future elections, the ruling party appoints Juan Vargas, a sleepy junkyard operator whose lust for power is awakened when he becomes mayor of the troublesome desert outpost. At first, the new mayor of San Pedro de los Saguaros is idealistic. Set on bringing the town the "modernity and social justice" his political party trumpets as its theme, he quickly learns the system works otherwise -- by "Herod's Law" (meaning "that's the way it is; there is no choice, whether you like it or not", although not in these exact words). Soon, Vargas is bribing, blackmailing, and even killing to consolidate his power. His humble way of life is now a whirlwind of violence, uncontrolled sensuality, lies and self preservation. Surprisingly, his corrupt ways are not only tolerated at the end but rewarded by a seat in his country congress. The characters, sublimely portrayed, can be taken 'as is' but also represent bigger entities; Arch roles without succumbing to caricature bursting with homespun tales. -- © Venevision International [More]
Starring: Damián Alcázar, Pedro Armendariz, Delia Casanova
Starring: Damián Alcázar, Pedro Armendariz, Delia Casanova
Director: Luis Estrada
Director: Luis Estrada
Studio: Venevision International Films
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Reviews for La Ley De Herodes
Half Preston Sturges and half Sam Peckinpah...though it sometimes takes its swipes with a bludgeon rather than a scalpel, it hits more often than it misses.
To connect with the story, you have to care about the victims or the character who falls from grace and unfortunately, you don't give a hot tamale about either.
Herod's Law is beautifully photographed, its imagery glazed with a sepia patina that suggests dust and neglect.
Alczar, who won the Mexican Oscar for his performance, brings a lot of energy to the role, but it's not enough to counterbalance the film's heavy-handed predictability.
Juan arms himself with a rewritten town constitution and a pistol. Kinky sex and ill-gotten dinero shortly follow.
Alcazar makes a deft transition from idiot to maniac, serving as an anchor for the broad performances around him.
As the story unfolds, Alcazar's slow-burn performance pays off with a venomous brilliance, making the audience choke on the guffaws that came so easily earlier.
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