The Cinema Hold Up (2011)

The Cinema Hold Up (2011) directed by Iria Gomez Concheiro takes place in Mexico where a couple teenagers feel that taking part in a crime is fun. These teens have no sense of direction when it comes to life and do nothing to fix it. They are often seen smoking pot, and roaming the streets. One day when they get thrown out of a local movie theater the troubled teens decide that they are going to rob the theater.  In order for the kids to pull off a successful robbery they must scout the theater to know the schematics of the building. The teens are successful in their crime leaving behind no evidence. The once poor kids that roamed the neighborhood looking for money become rich.

                This film is to show audiences what life was like in Mexico. It was an accurate depiction of he type of crimes that are committed in everyday like. Gomez also showed audiences the poverty that exists in the country and how that can lead to a life of crime and drug use.  Another element that was shown in the film is the corruption that exists within the Mexican police departments. For example in the scene when the police catches the kids with a spray paint can, the two officers ask to be bought off. With the kids having no money, the police officers gave up and just let the go. This is a clear example of bribery, this shows audiences that crime is not taken serious and that there is no authority.

            I did not really enjoy Iria Gomez Concheiro's The Cinema Hold Up. The reason being is that I felt the story took way to long to develop.  For example for the entire film it took Gomez a while to explain what exactly was going on.  The robbery was mentioned in the beginning of the film and then the plot went all over the place before it was put back on track in the middle of the film. I felt that the characters in the film were not believable at all the acting was weak. Every scene in the film seemed long, every line I felt sounded rehearsed, and the chemistry between the characters is non existent. The best part in my mind, of the film was the entire robbery sequence. I enjoyed the way it was shot and that it built tension. In particular the one shot that I enjoyed was the one when we saw the cigarette fall on to the floor and the audience sees the boys foot come into the shot and step on it. This shot was used twice in the film and it was a sign that something bad was going to happen. This movie was a complete roller coaster ride that made me confused and left hanging at the end. I would give this a 4 out of 10 stars.