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Movies / On DVD / La Ley De Herodes
La Ley De Herodes

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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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Feb 3, 2004

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Reviews for La Ley De Herodes

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1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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Comes off as cartoonish drivel, broadly played and poorly written.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
07/16/03
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
10/04/03
Marrit Ingman
Marrit Ingman
Austin Chronicle

Funny, evocatively photographed, and vibrantly acted salvo.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
09/12/03
Wesley Morris
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
11/04/03
Boston Phoenix

Oddly, but quite effectively, it's a comedy. A dark comedy, but funny nonetheless.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
06/20/03
Tim Cogshell
Tim Cogshell
Boxoffice Magazine

The actors are uniformly excellent, embracing their arch roles without succumbing to caricature.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
04/11/01
Ted Shen
Ted Shen
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Luis Estrada, the co-writer and director, uses his characters so clearly as symbols that he neglects to give them the complexity of human beings.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
07/11/03
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As [Estrada's] fast-moving scenes raced toward the big-bang finish, I never wanted the dust to settle.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
07/10/03
Allison Benedikt
Allison Benedikt
Chicago Tribune

Juan arms himself with a rewritten town constitution and a pistol. Kinky sex and ill-gotten dinero shortly follow.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
09/16/03
Dan Fazio
Dan Fazio
Citysearch

Herod's Law is beautifully photographed, its imagery glazed with a sepia patina that suggests dust and neglect.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
10/02/03
Matt Weitz
Matt Weitz
Denver Rocky Mountain News
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
10/30/03
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/08/04
Greg Muskewitz
Greg Muskewitz
eFilmCritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Houston Chronicle

A wonderfully cute and biting political satire.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
09/10/03
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

A bracingly sarcastic political comedy ... possessed of a baleful satiric eye for hypocrisy and greed, a delicious anti-clerical bent, and pitch-perfect comic timing.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
06/12/03
John Patterson
John Patterson
L.A. Weekly

At times it seems like the director became as self-indulgent as Vargas, repeatedly hitting the same notes of petty debauchery and cruelty well after the easy-to-see points have been made.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
06/13/03
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

A bombshell in its home country, Herod's Law is made with the kind of flair that ensures a following everywhere politicians are venal and voters hope against hope for deliverance.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
06/12/03
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Often heavy-handed and obvious.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
04/15/04
Duane Dudek
Duane Dudek
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
09/18/03
Jeff Strickler
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Con una actuación y un reparto formidables, presenta en forma de farsa una gran realidad mexicana

Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
03/21/01
Jorge Avila Andrade
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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