Perico ripiao (2003)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Ángel Muñiz

Writers:

Reynaldo Disla (writer)
Ángel Muñiz (writer)

Release Date:

September 2003 (Dominican Republic)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Three convicted criminals escape from prison carrying only a Güira, a Tambora and an Accordion. During their journey they meet with a bunch of interesting characters and are forced to use their musical skills to help them get home. |

Cast

Raymond Pozo	...	Francisco
Manolo Ozuna	...	Mauricio
Phillip Rodríguez	...	Manuel
Giovanny Cruz	...	General Contreras
Fernando Coste	...	Arcadio
Miguel Céspedes	...	Quepis
Pancho Clisante	...	The narrator (as José 'Pancho' Clisante)
Lumi Lizardo	...	Cristina, Manuel's wife (as Lumy Lizardo)
Berenice Aquino	...	Celia, Francisco's wife
Clara Luz Lozano	...	Loly, Mauricio's wife
Kenny Grullon	...	The bus driver (as Kenny Grullón)
Raquel Ureña	...	Passenger 1
Cenia Rodríguez	...	Passenger 2
Héctor Sierra	...	Boca
Richard Douglas	...	Blanco, the leftist prisoner

Country:

Dominican Republic

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic

Company:

Cigua Films

Trivia:

The scene where Margarita tips over the train rails was an unplanned accident. The vehicle fell and nearly broke Manolo Ozuna's leg. The subsequent dialogue was improvised after it was verified that the actor was alright.

Better than I expected.

After reading a couple of reviews in the newspapers, I just had to give "Perico Ripiao" a chance, and surprisingly enough I found it to be amusing, not the piece of crap I was expecting.

I'm not even gonna bother commenting on it's plot, it's direction, the acting ability of the main cast, etc. I've read a few people say "they acted nicely, blah blah...", but to tell you the truth, with this kind of film, you don't need good acting to make it work. Maybe a cleverly written script, but that's all.

"Perico Ripiao" only worked 'cause it's filled with jokes based on absurd situations that sometimes actually happen in real life, at least in here, Dominican Republic. Being such a small country, everyone will feel identified with at least one of the characters, even if it's just for a single moment of the film. The popular phrases and expressions make it quite fun for us to watch, as we never see them in another movie, as you might have guessed.

Still, "Perico Ripiao" has one main problem, which other dominican films have had: it would only work for dominican audiences. This film will never be internationally known... And even if someone tried to make it famous outside our boarders, the people would just not understand the film. Sure, they'd get the idea of the plot... but they would definitely not feel/understand the things only we dominicans do.

All of this only drives me to one main question... When will a dominican filmmaker attempt to make a film that doesn't rely so much on our language/jokes/culture ? Something that could be watched/understood by someone in any side of the world, something they could watch and feel the same way we do. I hope that day isn't too distant..