Cantiflas

In recent past we've seen several Spanish or Spanish themed films which are becoming popularized in a culture that is comprised of a huge melting pot. Films such as "Cesar Chavez", "Instructions Not Included", and "Gloria" have been frothed with solid stories, acting and with great messages. To add to that ever growing list is "Cantiflas".

This is the true untold story of Mexico's greatest and most beloved comedy film star of all time-- Mario 'Cantiflas' Moreno (Oscar Jaenada). The film starts in 1955 with the introduction of director Michael Todd (Michael Imperoli) pitching his new film, "Around the World in Eighty Days" to skeptical studio execs to no avail. Todd mentions that he wants to use an international cast of which he wants Moreno aka Cantiflas in it. Then the film pulls back to 1931, whereas we see the humble origins of Cantiflas as he tries to make it in the stage arena. So the film goes back and forth from 1955 to subsequent later years representing Cantiflas' slow incline toward notoriety. He finally woos and proposes marriage to his girlfriend, Vitola (Diana Lein) and she accepts. So as they are married and he rises in fame, it then brings us to the eventual meeting of Todd and Cantiflas to discuss the film. What makes this guy a real success is the ability to improvise on his feet and win audiences over one joke at a time. Relive the laughter that has charmed generations.

Others to round out the cast are Ilse Salas as Valentina Ivanova, Barbara Mori as Elizabeth Taylor, Ana Layevska as Miroslava Stern, Adal Ramones as Mantequilla, Cassandra Ciangherotti as Estela Pagola, Jose Carlos Montes as Maurice, Otto Sirgo as Andres Soler, Julian Sedgwick as Charlie Chaplin, Andres Montiel as Agustin Isunza and Luis Gerardo Mendez as Estanislao Shilinsky.

This was amazingly well directed by Sebastian del Amo ("El fantastico mundo de Juan Orol" '12). What makes this guy's direction that much more effective is the way he was able to achieve the different facial looks, movements and expressions one would expect coming from a certain era. It was well written by Edui Tijerina and del Amo in that going from the 1950's to the 1930's and back again and be able to harness that continuity was spot on. I don't know whether it's me, but these actor's, when speaking Spanish spoke very quickly so one had to read very quick lest you might miss a line or two, otherwise well done. When they were in L.A., English was the spoken language, but when they were in Mexico, it was Spanish which made it more realistic.
The costumes, sets, photography and music added so much effectiveness to this story and played well off each other, I have to say kudos to these artists. Last, but certainly not least, Jaenada as Cantiflas was perfect casting. He was able to show us many different facets, both light and dark, of this brilliant artist that he may be looking at a possible nod come Oscar time.

As biopics go, this has to be one of the best-- a rock-solid showcase of the most beloved funny man affectionately called Cantiflas.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                             Rated: PG                               104mins.