Sex, Shame & Tears (1999)

That was an excellent one.

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This movie clearly shows how good the Mexican cinema can be in the hands of innovative directors like Antonio Serrano. The film is based on his own play which deals basically with two couples going through some rough patch in their lives. This dramatic comedy has some light touches when a couple of friends enter the lives of the two couples, as they act as the catalyst, for resolving the differences between them. Only Ana and Carlos seem to have found a middle ground at the end of the film, while Miguel and Andrea will go their different ways.Carlos and Ana have some serious problems. He can't bring himself to have normal sex life with his young and attractive wife. Miguel, on the other hand, is a womanizer who cheats on the beautiful Andrea every time he has the opportunity. Since both couples know one another socially, and live across the street in apartments at the same level, they end up moving into each other's places when things unravel.The happy-go-lucky Tomas arrives back in the city from a long trip overseas and Carlos and Ana welcome him into their home. It's obvious he has known Ana more intimately before. At the same time, Maria, a zoologist, friend of Miguel, moves in with them. Things go from bad to worse and Miguel ends up moving in with Carlos, who by that time has been abandoned by Ana, who has gone across the street with the other women. The battle of the sexes begin at this time.Damian Bichir is one of the best things in the film. As Tomas, he holds the key to understanding the complicated lives all the young people in the film lead. Mr. Serrano got excellent acting from his attractive cast. Monica Dionne, Victor Hugo Martin, Cecilia Suarez, Jorge Salinas and Susan Zabaleta complete the sextet.Technically, this film has great visual style. It's a sophisticated look at a the upwardly mobile class of the Mexican society. Xavier Perez Grobet gives a magnificent look to the movie. The music by Alek Syntek compliments what we watch on the screen well. Antonio Serrano has to be congratulated for a picture that stands apart from others coming from Mexico by his understanding of the people involved.

I found this movie very strange in many ways. I can't see it as a comedy, as many people suggest, but more like a drama.The reason why I didn't liked this movie so much, is because the story,that is very confusing and also surreal. For example, how can a husband, that doesn't have desire for his wife,suddenly starts to like and have a crush on her again? Or even worst,accepts her back after seeing that she betrayed him?I also found that the friendship between Andrea and Maria totally odd. I mean,Andrea sees her husband Miguel and Maria , having affairs all the time,and even on that way she continues to be friend of Maria.Not to mention Tomas,that is a don juan who loves to be with many different women,and starts to have a crisis,wanting only one woman,all of sudden.Maybe I couldn't understand the movie very well; but anyway, I found it odd.

In its context, Sexo, Pudor, y Lagrimas IS groundbreaking... I personally dislike the film, but I recognise its importance; seldom had this dialogue been uttered in Spanish in Mexican screens. Yet it is exactly there that the problem lies, I suppose: while some of the ideas espoused are valid, it would be disingenuous to say they are fresh. A lot of it has a nagging, self-congratulatory feel, and the blend of philosophical reflection with farce would be better left to a seasoned filmmaker such as Woody Allen. For something that aspires to be so authentic, it feels stilted and irrelevant; it brings nothing new to the table. In hindsight, given the film's ambitions, the execution (poorly written characters, contrived situations, overly obvious--show, not tell, right?--points) seems all too... vulgar. The salvation: good performances, especially from Cecilia Suarez, who provides some of the few genuine moments in this otherwise pretentious mess.

I really enjoyed "Sexo, Pudor y Lagimas", the movie is original and unique. It shows real life situations, the way relationships break apart and then the analysis of each one's life. The movie is also very funny, but dramatic and sad at the same time. It's good to see how Mexican Cinema is slowly evolving to new ideas and new film making. Susana Zabaleta's performance is very good. The music to the movie is also excellent, I recommend SPL to anyone out there looking to have a good time watching an excellent foreign film.