Roberto Sneider Movies
A husband with sweeping political ambitions and his outwardly docile wife ultimately use one another as means to an end in this lavish, epic period drama from Mexico, that unfurls in 1930s and '40s Mexico, just after the Mexican Revolution. Though Catalina Guzman (Ana Claudia Talacon) was born into a rural family that suffers from abject poverty, she sees a way out via a long-term relationship with the conniving, calculating general Andres Asensio (Daniel Gimenez Cacho). Asensio's aspirations extend far beyond the confines of the military: he ultimately plans to work his way up to the Mexican presidency. In need of a wife (in part to make his own personal life complete and paint an excellent picture for the public), he beds Catalina before she reaches her 16th birthday, and marries her soon after. Dark clouds soon appear on the horizon in the form of scandals from Asensio's personal life, including time spent in jail for murder and the revelation that he's a philanderer who has fathered children by multiple women, but this doesn't seem to phase Catalina. She seems completely unfazed by all of this, but as it turns out, Catalina has a few agendas of her own. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
After being attached to a number of actors, directors, and producers, this long-gestating biography of one of Mexico's most prominent, iconoclastic painters reaches the screen under the guiding hand of producer/star Salma Hayek. Hayek ages some 30 years onscreen as she charts Frida Kahlo's life from feisty schoolgirl to Diego Rivera protégée to world-renowned artist in her own right. Frida details Kahlo's affluent upbringing in Mexico City, and her nurturing relationship with her traditional mother (Patricia Reyes Spindola) and philosophical father (Roger Rees). Having already suffered the crippling effects of polio, Kahlo sustains further injuries when a city bus accident nearly ends her life. But in her bed-ridden state, the young artist produces dozens upon dozens of pieces; when she recovers, she presents them to the legendary -- and legendarily temperamental -- Rivera (Alfred Molina), who takes her under his wing as an artist, a political revolutionary, and, inevitably, a lover. But their relationship is fraught with trouble, as the philandering Rivera traverses the globe painting murals, and Kahlo languishes in obscurity, longing to make her mark on her own. Frida was directed by Julie Taymor, whose Broadway production of The Lion King won her international acclaim. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi
- Starring:
- Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, (more)
- 1995
Greed and playing into the hand of providence provides the focus of this Mexican comedy adapted from a novel by Jorge Ibarguengoitia. Marcos, an architect, has just returned to the home of his wealthy uncle Ramon after squandering his money in Mexico City and subsequently finding himself falsely accused of a crime. Although he is flat-broke, he conceals this from Ramon, telling him that he has returned home to buy a local gold mine. Marcos finds the lies come easily as begins trying to induce his uncle to fund his endeavor. Irascible Ramon, who likes Marcos for his similar love of drinking and smoking is duped, but Ramon's sons are not fooled by Marcos. To them he is a threat, and they fear he will be placed in the will. Soon all of them are trying to out-manipulate each other. Even Ramon, who is not as innocent as he appears is involved in the mayhem. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1992
Deborah Miles has just about had it. Her minister husband is too wrapped up in being a do-gooder to be any good for her, and their sex life has diminished to nothing. Deborah's daughter has just left for college, she herself is forty, and the only really good friend she has is a feisty old widow woman she gives rides to as part of her church-related volunteer work. When Donny, a charming young ice-cream-truck driver puts the make on her, she's about ready for some spice in her life, and they tentatively begin a liaison. When she develops reservations about her affair and tries to back out of it, he gets abusive and threatens blackmail, and worse. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sue Cash, Blake Gibbons, (more)
Dan Bartlett (John Cusack) is a lovestruck teen who misses his plane to the Caribbean in this engaging comedy. He was to join sweetheart Lori (Wendy Gazelle) and her father Bill (Monte Markham) in the tropical paradise. Determined to get to the island, his efforts are stalled by three natives with a penchant for marijuana. After he shakes the stoners, Dan is captured by the pirate Mac MacClaren (Robert Loggia). He escapes the scurvy buccaneer only to land in jail on bogus charges. Dan later follows his sweetheart to a yacht where her family is being hijacked by another crook. Veteran funnyman Jerry Stiller provides comedy relief. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Cusack, Robert Loggia, (more)
