Comes off as cartoonish drivel, broadly played and poorly written.
La Ley De Herodes (2000)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
Get This Movie
Reviews for La Ley De Herodes
Oddly, but quite effectively, it's a comedy. A dark comedy, but funny nonetheless.
The actors are uniformly excellent, embracing their arch roles without succumbing to caricature.
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.
As [Estrada's] fast-moving scenes raced toward the big-bang finish, I never wanted the dust to settle.
Juan arms himself with a rewritten town constitution and a pistol. Kinky sex and ill-gotten dinero shortly follow.
Herod's Law is beautifully photographed, its imagery glazed with a sepia patina that suggests dust and neglect.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Con una actuación y un reparto formidables, presenta en forma de farsa una gran realidad mexicana
Latest News for La Ley De Herodes
November 09, 2005:
RT Interview: "Crónicas" Director Sebastián Cordero
It played in just over 100 theaters back in July, so you can be forgiven if you haven't heard a whole lot about "Crónicas" just yet. But the Ecuadorian crime thriller... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- La Ley De Herodes at Rotten Tomatoes
- La Ley De Herodes at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



