CANTINFLAS Movie Review – 6 Things I Loved About #CantinflasMovie
By Melanie Mendez-Gonzalez, ¿Que Means What?
I’m going to try to be objective here. Nah! I’m just going to tell you everything I loved about the movie. From the moment I heard that a movie about Cantinflas was going to be made, I was ready to watch it! Mario Moreno a.k.a Cantinflas was a huge part of Mexcian cinema to some, even a hero. I thought it was because of his successful career but because of this movie, I learned it was also because of his advocacy for others in Mexico.
CANTINFLAS Movie Trailer Summer 2014
I didn’t grow up watching Cantinflas but I also don’t remember when I first heard of him because it’s like he was always there. With Mexican family and friends, references were made to his name when someone would make you laugh with gibberish talk or funny faces. Almost everybody has a story about Cantinflas, mostly cherished memories watching him with parents or grandparents.
CANTINFLAS is the untold story of Mario Moreno – Cantinflas. His story unfolds on the big screen with all the success and turmoil he faced from being discovered in a tent theater or La Carpa in Mexico to winning his Golden Globe Award for his role in Around the World in 80 Days.
6 Things I Loved About Cantinflas
1. It was romantic. – I’m a sucker for a good love story. Cantinflas meets his bride, Valentina Ivanova, la rusa bonita as he lovingly referred to her, in his early days of acting in the tent theaters. Promises to change their lives. With any arrival of major stardom, it takes a toll on their marriage. Yet, his Valita (Valentina) is who really saves him in the end … from himself.
2. Óscar Jaenada. Jaenada is a perfect Cantinflas capturing his essence and spirit both as Cantinflas and as Mario Moreno. Simply an outstanding performance by Jaenada.
3. Telling of two stories. The movie follows two story lines until they meetup and become one. The sub-story line is the one of Michael Todd’s near failure to produce Around the World in 80 Days. This story takes place in Hollywood and the audience gets a sense of what it took to create this award-winning film.
The real story line is set in Mexico. It follows Cantinflas’ life and career. As a young man, he’s unsure of exactly what he wants to be but he believes it’s more than the help. He falls in love and marries Valita. His career leads him to wealth and fame. Cantinflas loses his way but finds himself back on track and that’s when they stories meet. He makes quite the impression on Hollywood.
4. It was funny! Hello, it’s Cantinflas who was once referred to as “the world’s greatest comedian” by Charlie Chaplin himself which is depicted in a touching way in the movie. One of my favorite parts was revealing how he became “Cantinflas.” Early on, a heckler says he can’t understand what Mario is saying from the stage and shoutsCuanto inflas! (You’re annoying) and then Esta en al cantina inflas (You’re in the bar being annoying.) On stage Mario hears “Cantinflas!” and says, yes, that’s me “Cantinflas!”
5. A little bit of history. I’m a learner at heart. So, yes. Going back in time and getting a glimpse of Cantinflas’ life as well as what it was like in Mexican theater is a bonus.
6. The audience remembers … watching Cantinflas and it brings back great memories for so many. I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll keep saying it. As Latinos, documenting our own stories is so important. While this movie may be the life story of Cantinflas, it is also belongs to anyone who grew up watching him. It’s their story, too.
It is a bi-lingual movie. When they speak Spanish, there are English subtitles. When they speak English, there are Spanish subtitles. I loved this, too. So, technically that’s seven things I loved about CANTINFLAS movie!
CANTINFLAS is in theater AUGUST 29TH! Skip the box office lines. Buy movie tickets in advance at Fandango.com.
Distributor: Pantelion Films / Lionsgate
Production Company: Kenio Films
Cast: Oscar Jaenda, Michael Imperiloi, Ilse Salas, Luis Gerardo Mendez
Director: Sebastián del Amo
Producers: Vidal Cantú, Adolfo Franco
Writers: Edui Tijerina
Executive Producers: Bullet Films
Director of Photography: Carlos Hidalgo
Associate Producers: Alejandro Barron, Mario Moreno Ivanova
Locations: D.F, México
Runtime: 96 min.
Genre: Biográfica
U.S. Release Date: Agosto 29, 2014
Rating: PG-13
This review was originally published in ¿Que Means What?
About Melanie: I’m a Latina blogger. I am Latina and I blog. I am Texicana: Mexican decent born in Texas, never lived in Mexico. And this begins my identity crisis.
[Photos by Ángel González Courtesy of KenioFilms.com and Pantelion Films]
