Cantinflas (2014)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Pretty Good

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

I've seen the movie "Cantinflas" directed by Sebastian del Amo, and I am convinced that this is "the film that every Mexican must-see". This is biopic is the story of Mexico's greatest and most beloved comedy film star of all time, Mario Moreno "Cantinflas". The film follows him from his humble beginnings on the small stage to the bright lights of Hollywood.On one side you discover the man: Mario Moreno who expressed his values through his Cantinflas character on films and stage. Cantinflas gives voice to social issues: on his films he would protest against injustice, keeping his cool being sincere, generous, honest and optimistic. Cantinflas never resorted to vulgarity, nor to profanity, insults or violence to make us laugh, and his unique speech style (cantinflear) reflects the demagogic rhetoric we hear from politicians. We all recognize on Mario Moreno "Cantinflas" a Mexican hero who overcame poverty and lack of formal education to become an artist and humanist, recognized worldwide.On the other hand, there is the film where actor Oscar Jaenada does a masterful "incarnation" of Mario Moreno Cantinflas. Thanks to Oscar's credibility and this film's quality production, more people attended movie theaters to watch the movie and a new generations will better understand Cantinflas legacy and values. In addition, the performances of other actors like Ilse Salas, Barbara Mori, Gabriela de la Garza and Luis Gerardo Méndez, to name a few, were preceded by months of preparation and are really a tribute to the characters they play. Original music by Aleks Syntek. Screen play by Edui Tijerina, and excellent production of entrepreneurs Vidal Garza Cantú, Adolfo Franco, Alejandro Barron, and Mario Moreno Ivanova. Thus, "Cantinflas" brings to life Mexico's hero, so this is a most- see film for everyone in Mexico, and elsewhere.

Cantinflas is a biopic and tribute to one of Mexico's most iconic entertainment personalities of the 20th century. For those not familiar with Mario Moreno's perpetual theater and screen persona, let us avoid comparisons and simply present him as follows: the country of Mexico has a rich indigenous tradition, it has it's colonial period followed by the revered fathers of liberty, and then it has Cantinflas – in the running for the top spot of contemporary historical significance among a few others. His films are stuff of binge addiction on long weekends and it's safe to state he has a status of saint by some of his fans.With this back history, anyone who dared to bring the two, the persona and the creator, to the big screen would need to have a strong will and set of two firmly planted – to make use of a common Spanish colloquial phrase.The target audience is obvious; fans and those familiar with Cantinflas while appealing to the general audience. To fans, there are no surprises or explosive revealing secrets. Overall the text is a positive portrait that allows for some connection with Mario Moreno. It won't come as a shock that Mr. Moreno developed into a shrewd impresario who learned to market and maintain Cantinflas in the vernacular for decades and beyond his death. Revealing the womanizing phase of his career works to show a person rough around the edges and a human who wasn't beyond reproach – in other words not Cantinflas-like.Stylistically, the story is told in a whimsical and fairly fast pace of intertwining narratives between Cantiflas the persona and Mario Moreno the creator. With little breathing room, moviegoers are treated briefly to some of the most memorable scenes in Mr. Moreno's filmography. Like with other historical and entertainment figures, viewers' collective memories and personal stories will make for a magical movie experience surely evoking happy laughter and a tear or two. The fun sets in the second the opening and historically marking montage ends and never lets up. Be sure to stay until the house lights come on, you won't regret it.Cantinflas is also about the craft of filmmaking. It's always interesting to watch the film process portrayed within a text. Director Sebastian del Amo uses homage in a not so subtle way. In Cold Blood by Richard Brooks and Citizen Cane by Orson Welles moments are clearly depicted but the most poignant statement is the ever present artistic vs commercial or formulaic movie making argument that can become esoteric at times. We learn that at some point, authorship was paramount to Mr. Moreno. As this goes on, a foretelling tie to Hollywood builds and serves as the triumphant marker. Fans obviously know Cantinflas did not stay in Hollywood.As for the casting, Óscar Jaenada (The Limits of Control and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), knocks it out of the park. His impersonations of Cantinflas are superb and certainly had this viewer reacting at every turn. Purist may not accept Jaenada in the role but he's a proved actor and not just an impersonator. The cast is international and the well done production serves to prove that cinema has no boundaries.Conclusion: A must watch on the big screen. It won't be the same on DVD simply because the collective experience won't be there. A bilingual but mostly Spanish language film with subtitles as needed. Family safe and fun to watch!

Encapsulating and portraying the life and talent of Mario Moreno "Cantiflas" on the big screen is indeed a challenge that probably most producers would like to avoid. Nonetheless, knowing full well the challenges ahead of them, the director and producers of the film managed to put together a compelling story that resonates with moviegoers of today. Cantiflas is simply the story of a poor and humble Mexican in the early 1930's when mostly talent, inheritance and luck were the only ways out of poverty. The story is told in such a way that those unfamiliar with Cantiflas can quickly recognize and appreciate the breadth and depth of the golden age of Mexican cinema and one of its most shinning stars, Mario Moreno.It is obvious that the lead actor, Óscar Jaenada spent a considerable amount of time watching Cantinflas movies to be able to imitate his voice and mannerism. He does a decent job portraying one of most intricate comedians of all time, which in itself is a very arduous task.Undoubtedly, the film pays tribute to the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema of the 1940's and 1950's, with all its splendor and flair. Hopefully, it would serve as an inspiration for a new generation of filmmakers to appreciate the rich legacy given to them.

I simply enjoyed this film, I grew up watching his movies with my parents at our hometown drive-theater. Even at young age, I truly appreciated his sense of humor and comedy approach to many delicate subjects. Oscar Jaenada (though many of my peers don't agree) did a beautiful performance! This film was long over do! Congrats to all who put this project together and showed us the the person behind the movies. I have to add, my parents were truly moved by the performance and his early beginnings, a story they thought they knew. A true homage to Mario Moreno and his legacy. Looking forward to more performance from Oscar Jaenada.