Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Federico Luppi | ... | Jesus Gris | |
Ron Perlman | ... | Angel de la Guardia | |
Claudio Brook | ... | De la Guardia | |
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Margarita Isabel | ... | Mercedes |
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Tamara Shanath | ... | Aurora |
Daniel Giménez Cacho | ... | Tito | |
Mario Iván Martínez | ... | Alchemist | |
Farnesio de Bernal | ... | Manuelito | |
Juan Carlos Colombo | ... | Funeral Director | |
Jorge Martínez de Hoyos | ... | Narrator (voice) | |
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Luis Rodríguez | ... | Buyer |
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Javier Álvarez | ... | Bleeding Man |
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Gerardo Moscoso | ... | Drunk |
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Eugenio Lobo | ... | Stoned Man |
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Adriana Olivera | ... | Tango Student |
In 1536, in Veracruz, Mexico, during the Inquisition, an alchemist builds a mysterious and sophisticated device named Cronos to provide eternal life to the owner. In the present days, the antiques dealer Jesus Gris finds Cronos hidden inside an ancient statue while cleaning it with his granddaughter Aurora. He accidentally triggers the device and soon his wife Mercedes and he note that he has a younger appearance. Out of the blue, the stranger Angel de la Guardia visits Gris's shop and buys the old statue. On the next day, Gris finds his shop trashed and Angel's card on the floor. He pays a visit to Angel that introduces him to the eccentric millionaire De la Guardia that explains the healing power and the eternal life given by Cronos. Angel is sent by De la Guardia to hunt down Gris to get Cronos no matter the costs. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When antiques dealer Jesús finds the legendary Cronos device within a statue he accidentally uses it. It feeds on his life force in exchange for eternal life. However wealthy Dieter and his nephew Angel also want the device and are willing to do anything to get it.
This is certainly a different vision of the vampire story, it dispels with a lot of the gore, the castles, Igor etc, but keeps the sunlight, the through the heart death etc. The story moves very slowly and is focused on Jesús and the devices' effect on him. His accidental transformation causes concern within his granddaughter and he finds that eternity has a price. The scenes between Jesús and Aurora are touching and make a nice change from the blood letting scenes.
The action is never really forthcoming and it is a little stilted in a way. Pearlman's character is a good addition to the story, but it does move so slowly that it may be a disappointment to those expecting a horror film. Luppi is good as Jesús, haunted by a gift he never wanted, Tamara is also strong as his granddaughter.
Overall it's an interesting retelling of a famous story. The direction is faultless although the story occasionally feels aimless and drifting.