Mexico City. 2002, 2006, 2010. A cop. A hostage. A wife. Corruption, violence, vengeance. Three destinies, during 30 days, during three Soccer World Cups. Three ways to fight in order to survive.
Gout has spent a little too much time studying other directors – Tarantino looms particularly large – for much of this to feel original; and he’s unfortunately failed to learn from any of them how to clearly distinguish the time periods of his interwoven threads of action.
Jittery camerawork and sudden close-ups lend a you-are-there immediacy, "there" being a circle of hell you'd do just about anything to avoid.
It's a confident, well-made film that ends up in a blind alley of cynicism.
There are characters who help to connect the stories and provide a straight line through a very twisted narrative. In its best moments this is an exciting, involving multi-story thriller.
This is all very impressive in its scope and moral reach, and the movie, with its extensive use of handheld cameras, sweaty close-ups and violent encounters, is visually striking. But it is difficult, at times almost impossible, to follow. At least first time around.
Gout cleverly uses the unpredictability of the sporting action as a guideline for his own tripartite narrative, ensuring that the story remains highly volatile at all times.
Dizzyingly kinetic, derivative and confusing, but also impossible to sleep through.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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