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Sunday, May 23, 2021

MOVIE REVIEW: NEW ORDER

 






















Members of a wealthy family gather for a wedding as a nearby protest escalates into violence in Mexico City.

Director: Michel Franco

Cast: Naian González Norvind, Diego Boneta, Mónica Del Carmen, Fernando Cuautle

Release Date: May 21, 2021

Genre: Drama

Rated R for disturbing and violent content, rape, graphic nudity, and language

Runtime: 1 h 26 min

Review:

Michel Franco’s New Order bleak dystopian tale is a message movie that can’t quite decide what it’s trying to say.  Franco’s film feels like a Michael Haneke on a larger more political scale.  It’s unnerving from the onset and there’s nary a sign of hope in its entire runtime.  As a result the film’s short runtime feels longer due to the story’s increasingly oppressive nature.  It’s the type of film that is filled with stark and shocking images which will stay with you long after you leave the theater.  The cast deliver authentic performances even if the characterization are overly generic types.  Naian González Norvind is given the spotlight for the better part of the first half before Fernando Cuautle takes over in second half as the story shifts its focus.  The film’s biggest issue is its general lack of focus, story threads start and end abruptly.  The story threads sole purpose being to sledgehammer home the film’s worldview.  Sadly, it’s hard to dismiss the film as unrealistic given recent history which leaves this an uncomfortable viewing experience. 

B-

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