Rosa Furman Movies

Noted Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein directed this darkly comic drama of love and murder. Coral Fabre (Regina Orozco) is an overweight, emotionally unstable nurse raising two children on her own. Coral is desperately lonely, and through a "Lonely Hearts" club, she begins corresponding with Nicolas Estrella (Daniel Gimenez Cacho). When Coral finally meets Nicolas, she decides that he resembles her favorite actor, Charles Boyer (at least when he wears his toupee) -- and is convinced that they were destined to be together. The fact that Nicolas stole Coral's money after spending the night together does nothing to dissuade her; she learns that Nicolas makes his living by finding rich women and, using his charm, taking their savings before abandoning them. Leaving her children with an orphanage, Coral joins Nicolas as his lover and partner in crime, posing as his sister as he continues his work. Nicolas finds Coral's passion for him exciting, but their amour fou turns deadly when Coral's all-consuming jealousy leads her to murder Nicolas' victims. Profundo Carmesi was based on the true story of American multiple murderers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, which also inspired the film The Honeymoon Killers (1969). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In retelling the story of the ancient (1499) Spanish-language classic by Fernando de Rojas, Comedia de Calisto y Melibeau, director Sabido has been forced to simplify the complex story. In the film, Celestina (Ofelia Guilmain) is a magical madame, who arranges for the noblewoman Melibea (Isela Vega) to be wooed and bedded by Calisto (Luigi Montefiore) a handsome nobleman. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

In this French/Italian co-production set in Mexico in 1746, Alastray (Anthony Quinn), a gunman on the run from the law, happens upon a Franciscan priest, Father Joseph (Sam Jaffe), while in flight. Father Joseph shows mercy on the fugitive and allows Alastray to stay with him, but when the locals find out that Joseph is harboring criminals, he's run out of town; Alastray travels with him, disguised as a monk. While approaching what appears to be a deserted village, Father Joseph is killed by a sniper, and Alastray heads into town. He is met by Teclo (Charles Bronson), a half-breed who calls the village home. It seems that a band of savage Yaqui Indians have been terrorizing the town and have a special hatred for men of faith; they intend to continue laying waste to the village until the residents beg for mercy and renounce Christianity. The Village leaders want to make Alastray their new spiritual leader, and despite his great reluctance, he agrees, mostly as a means of maintaining his cover. But when Alastray tries to organize the building of a much needed dam, as well as obtaining a stash of weapons so that the citizens may defend themselves, the Yaquis return in force, leading to a decisive confrontation. Guns for San Sebastian also features Anjanette Comer and Silvia Pinal. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Three Mexican directors combine their talents in the drama The Distant Wind. Salomon Laiter directs "En El Parco Hondo," in which a young nephew is forced by his shrewish aunt to take her cat to the veterinarian. He and his friend try to kill the animal, but the cat escapes. The terrified boy lives in fear of his aunt's wrath until the animal is found dead by the front door. Manuel Michel directs "Tarde D'Agosto," the coming-of-age story of a 14-year-old boy who has a crush on his pretty and older cousin. In "Encuentro," Sergio Vejar directs the story of a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl finding love with each other after escaping the frequent and brutal beatings of their respective fathers. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi