A Mexican foreign film (It was Oscar-nominated, but didn't stand a chance against flying Chinese warriors and the Green Destiny sword), *Amores Perros* tells three tales of love and loss, all connected by a car crash. Thematically, it's pretty depressing, of course, and the stories share common themes of love, loss, and dogs. They all involve dogs, metaphors for the characters in the film and their relationships. Although the stories intertwine loosely, the movie feels like three short films strung together rather than one long movie. Pacing is an issue. It's one of the few movies that I actually think has an issue of pacing rather than being just "slow," like *Eyes Wide Shut*. Another example of a movie with pacing issues is *Screamers*, just so you know. In any case, the film gives you a glimpse of the Mexican underworld, the underbelly of humanity. It is interesting because *Moulin Rouge* celebrates love in all its glory, and then *Amores Perros* comes and illuminates (in a gritty grey brought to us by the shaky camera characteristic of independent film) that sometimes, love and life just ain't that grand.
Review of Amores Perros
