Alias 'La Gringa' (1991) User Reviews

Does not star Jennifer Garner.

[Spuzzlightyear · 6/10 · 7 September 2005]

Alias La Gringa tells the story of a helpless lifetime criminal who has a habit of getting thrown in the nastiest jails and, much to the chagrin of this authorities, seems to escape from them easily and back in the arms of his floozy girlfriend. But after a recent breakout, he feels he is obligated to one of the prisoners he was with and goes BACK to get him, and then try to escape again.

While this is not going to get me whooping, this was an interesting, if not somewhat depressing look at South American crime and their prison system, which, surprise surprise, looks like hell. The lead actor in this, Andres Malatesta, does a good job here, looking like the wise-ass criminal he's supposed to be.

Certainly not a popcorn movie, this is a good film for people interested in the South American justice system.

la gringa

[matthewshotwell · 7/10 · 30 November 2005]

La Gringa a feminine descriptive that was attached to the main character, Andres Malatesta, because he once escaped from jail dressed up as a drug lords mistress. He is put into a maximum security wing of the prison because the warden doesn't want to be embarrassed by another escape situation. In his confinement he makes friends with his cell mate, a professor. The Marxist terrorists are also people he makes contact with in the jail. The Marxists do their own cooking as well. La Gringa is sort of a loser life long criminal who gets wrapped up in the South American justice system, which is more a mess than La Gringa's life. He escapes multiple times throughout the movie which provides for periodic excitement. One particular time Malatesta is on a boat and he stabs a member of the crew and the rest of the crew throws him over and shoots at him and leaves him for dead. He lives through it all in true form to his characters resilient nature. His bond with the Professor he made when in the maximum security jail speaks to his heart and he decides he must go back to the jail and help the professor escape. As far as entertainment the movie did keep my attention and kept me guessing. I feel it would be more entertaining to someone with a specific interest in the South American justice system though. Professor McDerrmott is my hero.

Rough but not uninteresting Peruvian prison piece.

[Mozjoukine · 7 January 2002]

"La Gringa" the Lima prison escaper, who earned his title because he once got away dressed as a drug lord's visitor mistress is dragged back after one night's freedom. He gets thrown into a wing with the professor reluctantly sharing with the Marxist terrorists who do their own cooking, and the escaper and the Prof. bond.

Thoughtful enough piece competently handled though it outlasts it's the novelty value of it's origin.

Durant clearly sees himself as being a South American Costa-Gavras.

Rough but not uninteresting Peruvian prison piece.

[Mozjoukine · 7 January 2002]

"La Gringa" the Lima prison escaper, who earned his title because he once got away dressed as a drug lord's visitor mistress, is dragged back after one night's freedom. He gets thrown into a wing with a professor, reluctantly sharing with the Marxist terrorists who do their own cooking, and the escaper and the Prof. bond.

Thoughtful enough piece, competently handled though it outlasts it's the novelty value of it's origin.

Durant clearly sees himself as being a South American Costa-Gavras.