THE only thing hotter than the weather is “Drama/Mex,” the latest feverish import from Mexico. (Remember “Battle in Heaven,” “Amores Porres” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien”?)
“Drama/Mex” – which just happens to have as its executive producers the hunky stars of “Y Tu,” Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal – takes two unconnected stories, both unfolding on the same hot day in Acapulco, and slowly merges them.
In the first, a nymphet named Fernanda (Diana Garcia, in an awesome screen debut) has trouble deciding between two young men, one of whom, Chano (Emilio Valdes), ripped off her well-to-do dad.
But this doesn’t stop Fernanda from having sweaty quickies with the repulsive young man.
The second tale concerns Jamie (Fernando Becerril), a married, middle-age office worker who steals the company payroll, spits on his boss’ desk and runs off to a sordid beachfront hotel with every intention of blowing his brains out.
Then he meets a chubby high school girl, Tigrillo (Miriana Moro, the film’s producer), who’s run away from home to join a gang of girls who prey on rich American suckers.
Acapulco is usually associated with fun times – but not in “Drama/Mex.” The neighborhood is rundown and its inhabitants are miserable and dysfunctional. Some give a good impression of coping with life, but don’t be fooled.
The director-writer, Gerardo Naranjo, remains neutral as hand-held cameras capture the sordid goings-on.
You want to hate his characters? Go ahead. You want to feel sympathy for them? That’s OK too. In either case, you’ll be shaken by “Drama/Mex.”
DRAMA/MEX Hot stuff.In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 93 minutes. Not rated (sex, nudity, profanity). At the IFC Center, Sixth Avenue and Third Street.
vam@btc365-futebol.com