Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

not as good as all the hype

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

If there is something I like to avoid while watching movies is the exaggerated melodrama that is so irritating in soap operas. Only to find that this movie presents all of the ingredients that are present in the worst soap operas. But only worst. It lacks verisimilitude. The man that was run over by the main character feels that fell from the sky. And its this same logic that exists in the movie. Suddenly this "supposedly rich kid" is in a small town by the sea. Again, it feels like he fell from the sky into this town. Suddenly he is speaking English with an Australian surfer. And teaching a lady to drive. And having to stay in this paradise with a beautiful women because he has no car. And speaking Italian, showing off by telling her that he will invite her to Rome. Suddenly, he is stalking her and escaping from gangsters and bullets. But the worst. The story shifts and starts to focus in "el tigre" the gangster, the girl's "dad-lover" and in the main character dad. There was never a journey or love story (they are together barely minutes and this is supposedly what moves the movie) only capricious turns of luck until finally they die (which the title clearly indicates). I could go on and on. There are some interesting glimpses of the main character relationship with male figures, but they are eclipsed by all the confusion and violence and even by the love story or maybe the other way around: the love story is eclipsed by his relationship with male figures and the violence they make, also by the main character suicidal attitude. I don't know. Its bad. At least it could be a good soap opera.

Amar a morir is an authentic love story set against the striking class structure of present day Mexico. Following a tragic accident, a young man Alejandro (José María de Tavira) rediscovers himself when he meets the beautiful Rosa (Martina García) whilst exiled in a picturesque Michoacán seaside village. Yet when he once again finds himself and his heart at the mercy of a corrupt community leader, who happens to be the local drug lord, his love- inspired fighting spirit shows us that great love defies all obstacles. The beautiful seaside setting adds to the spectacular cinematography that impressively romanticizes the simple way of life of the warm Michoacan people. First time director Fernando Lebrija further shows his promising ability by getting excellent performances out of his impressive cast. The writing cleverly develops deep and authentic back-stories for the characters that were required to engross us in the plight of all three main characters; the boy, the girl yet strikingly also that of the drug lord. It is a wonderful and heart touching portrayal of love and the obstacles we face in holding on to one so true. The memorable final act will move all those with a soft spot for great love to tears whilst at the least leaving a lasting impression on all. The love between Alejandro and Rosa shows what we all search for and seldom find; a love that is unquestioned by past, pain, sin, class and family.

A wealthy urban brat who won't conform to his rotten society's values flees the city after running over a pedestrian. In a rural village, he takes an interest in a local girl but gets in over his head as he realizes there is much more to her than meets the eye. The cinematographic style is highly commercial--the depiction of the urban rich early in the movie closely resembles many a beer commercial's, while the shots of the surfers and lovers at the beach would be great for advertising Michoacán as a tourist destination (although the tale will give prospective tourists pause). It is an entertaining film with few dull moments and some of the actors, especially the villain, play their parts quite well. However, it ultimately seems to lack substance. The protagonist is something of a rebel without a cause--he rejects the hypocrisy, racism and corruption of his social group but doesn't seem to stand for any alternative values. The love story is curiously empty--there seems to be nothing between the two other than glances, small talk and physical contact. I suppose the hero's willingness to risk so much for this love is supposed to appear noble or inspiring but the narrative never develops a relationship that could credibly bear this burden. Perhaps the most thoughtful aspect of the film is its portrait of a society so thoroughly corrupt. However, even on this topic, I don't hear it saying anything original.