Members of a wealthy family gather for a
wedding as a nearby protest escalates into violence in
Director: Michel Franco
Cast: Naian González Norvind, Diego Boneta, Mónica
Del Carmen, Fernando Cuautle
Release Date:
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-
