We Are What We Are (2010)

Pretty Good

From my favorite movies..

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

When you're dealing with a group of cannibals, and realize that cannibalism is not their craziest feature, you know you have some really deranged individuals...This film builds an amazing character background, what one would call "a social worker's nightmare". A family that the word "dysfunctional" merely starts to describe. Contrary to most films use characters that seem unreal, or "movie like", this movie acquaints us with a family that most people, at one time of their lives have actually met, in a way. Extremely poor, incapable of social interaction, violent, isolated and insane. Criminally insane, in a reality where there absolutely no heroes around (literally there is not a single moral character in this movie, at least by common standards). The film deals with what seems at first glance to be an "over the top story", in the most realistic of ways. It feels very very real, and the choice of actors with distinctly "Mexican" features in their appearance is an excellent means to bring the films reality to life.So, why only 5/10 stars? Well unfortunately, a movie has to be entertaining (and by entertaining I don't mean making you "have fun" but keeping you engaged and caring about what's going on) and this one unfortunately... isn't. The characters, settings and images are great but not much happens during the movie plot-wise. Since you can't really care or relate with any of these characters, at least there should have been a more intriguing story, but there isn't. Even though, it is really worth your time, especially if you want a reminder of how sick the institution of family in general can be.

On my DVD-case, it read: "A cannibal gore-fest...", and other, similar phrases. Well, I just saw the film again on the BBC, but it's really not that much of a gore-fest at all. On the other hand - fair is fair - those faint of heart may still want to avoid this.I think got the quirkiness of it much better this time around, as I kept detecting little humorous details here and there, and the whole premise (and story) radiates an atmosphere that is at the same time philosophical, comical, socially engaging and downright unnerving. The first time I watched this, I also hadn't figured out that this family does not eat people because they are poor, which makes a big difference.The problem that a lot of scenes stayed too much in the dark, literally, still stands, and here and there the film feels repetitive, and the cast hardly excels (though they dó represent the living dead...). The opening scene, the hunting for victims and the finale (daughter's escape and mom's demise) deserve an extra mention.A good 7 out of 10 this time around, a whole point extra since the last time.

Strangely, people have been regarding WE ARE WHAT WE ARE as something of a gem; after all, it's a film that garnered a Hollywood remake, so it must be good, right? Er, no. This Mexican cannibal film is entirely by rote, a predictable narrative populated by unappealing characters and a distinct lack of depth. It held my attention throughout, but only just, and that's partly because it's mercifully short.Instead of focusing on the blood and guts of the cannibal storyline - this is surprisingly subdued given the subject matter - WE ARE WHAT WE ARE is a film that explores family dynamics. Mainly it involves characters arguing or screaming and shouting at each other, and it's a fairly tiresome exercise, mainly because the script isn't as hot as it should be. If at least one character in the entire movie had been likable it might have been a different story, but as it is it's a chore.Things do start picking up in the final third of the film, with lots of action and bloodshed as antagonists start entering the story, but it's not enough to make this a classic or anything approaching a decent film. The cult reputation of WE ARE WHAT WE ARE is destined to remain a mystery, I think...

If it is an awful cliché to say a film about cannibalism is in bad taste, the film itself is far, far worse. It begins with the death of the head of the cannibal household, a natural death, although the human finger that was apparently removed from his stomach in the mortuary might have had something to do with his demise.With Daddy gone to meet his Maker, or more likely the other bloke, the big question is who is to take over? From the way his widow behaves, she has clearly been wearing the trousers anyway, little sister is obviously too much of a shrinking violet, so that leaves a contest between the two sons.For the moment they decide to cooperate rather than compete, and off they go to kidnap a child from the street for the ritual, as it is called. They make the mistake of trying to abduct one from a group, and are lucky to escape with only a few ruffled feathers.Next they decide to kidnap a prostitute, they succeed, but what does the matriarch say? How dare you bring me a whore. Next up is a homosexual who is picked up by one of the sons, but is not to the taste of the other. Needless to say, it all ends badly.Some people claim to find humour in this film; apart from a joke or two in the morgue, that was lacking too."Somos Lo Que Hay" has recently been remade in English as "We Are What We Are". Remind me not to watch it.