Release: 2012
Starring: Will Ferrell, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna
When I first heard about Will Ferrell being in an all Spanish film, I seriously did not know what to think, that was until I saw the trailer in 2011 for the film known as Casa de Mi Padre. I was blown away by the star power this movie possessed along with what looked like beautiful cinematography. I searched from IMDB to every movie news site I trusted to find the release date or show times for this movie. To my great disappointment (at the time) it was revealed that the movie was finished, however it had no distributor so it seemed like this film I was dying to see was stuck in distribution limbo.
After a long year of drinking and screaming to the gods why such an idea goes unseen. I found out that someone finally stepped up and was distributing the Spanish comedy. I counted down the days, watched the trailers and interviews until finally the release of the film. I sat in my chair anticipating the trailers to be over. Finally the screen stopped projecting green rating cards and the film was about to start.
Those of you who are unfamiliar with what this movie is about, allow me to explain briefly. The story centers around a rancher named Armando Alverez (Ferrell). Who has never expressed the feelings of love to anyone (Other than his cattle). While tending to his heard he witnesses a murder on his father's land by ruthless drug lord “Onza” played by Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores Perros, Science Of Sleep). When attempting to tell his father of the heinous act (Played by Pedro Armendáriz Jr
of “License To Kill” and “Once Upon A Time In Mexico) , it is cut off by the return of his much more respected and loved brother Raul (Diego Luna, “Milk” & “The Terminal”) who seems to be living the good life of an international business man and not the hard working day to day labors that of the Rancher. Raul has returned from his travels not alone for he has brought his fiancé the lovely Sonia played by the very heavenly Genesis Rodriguez (Man on A Ledge) who seems to have captured the heart of Armando as well. It is later revealed that the acts of Onza are not only affecting the land but also Raul's business as well.
Without giving too much away I will start off by saying that this movie is worth the wait. Not because it has people who's work I enjoy but because this movie pays homage and well pokes fun at the things that make Latin entertainment the amazing spectacle that it has come to be known as. From the first shot of the “Mexico Scope” logo, to the brilliant performance during the end credits. Casa de Mi Padre is beautifully shot and scored and carefully crafted to it's fullest, making it a campy delight. After a while you forget about the whole Chuck Heston joke of Ferrell playing a Mexican and just focus on the other funny elements of the movie (Novella close-ups, musical cues and amazing puppetry.)
So fans of Spanish cinema, grindhouse and painted set backgrounds check out Casa de Mi Padre and try your best not to wanna talk in an accent after it is done.
Now Playing, Check local listings.
4 out of 5
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