Amores Perros (2000)

A horrific car accident connects three stories, each involving characters dealing with loss, regret, and life's harsh realities, all in the name of love.

Director:

Alejandro G. Iñárritu (as Alejandro González Iñárritu)

Writer:

Guillermo Arriaga (as Guillermo Arriaga Jordán)

Stars:

Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Goya Toledo

Top Rated Movies #221 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 55 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emilio Echevarría	...	El Chivo
Gael García Bernal	...	Octavio (as Gael García)
Goya Toledo	...	Valeria
Álvaro Guerrero	...	Daniel (as Alvaro Guerrero)
Vanessa Bauche	...	Susana
Jorge Salinas	...	Luis
Marco Pérez	...	Ramiro
Rodrigo Murray	...	Gustavo
Humberto Busto	...	Jorge
Gerardo Campbell	...	Mauricio
Rosa María Bianchi	...	Tía Luisa (Aunt Luisa)
Dunia Saldívar	...	Mama Susana (Susana's Mother)
Adriana Barraza	...	Mama Octavio (Octavio's Mother)
José Sefami	...	Leonardo
Lourdes Echevarría	...	Maru

Storyline

On the brink of the new Millennium in the bustling City of Mexico, one horrible car accident intertwines inextricably the lives of three perfect strangers. Octavio, a rebellious adolescent who is secretly in love with his sister-in-law, dreams of escaping his miserable life, and for this reason, he enters reluctantly the obscure world of dog fighting with his lethal dog Cofi. And then unexpectedly, Valeria, a stunning woman and famous supermodel, will cross paths with Octavio, while in the meantime, her pampered little dog Richie manages to vanish into thin air in the confined space of her apartment. Lastly, Chivo, an ex-guerrilla vagabond, after abandoning his little daughter, unable to make up for lost time, he channels his love to the city's strays and a mortally wounded Rottweiler. In the end, even though all the weary characters, men and beasts, wish for a bright future, in this life-changing journey in the pursuit of love, sometimes infidelity, sin and death can get in the way.

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Plot Keywords:

multiple storyline | dog | mexico city | multiple perspectives | nonlinear timeline | 

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Taglines:

Love. Betrayal. Death.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence/gore, language and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

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Goofs

when El Chivo is pushing his cart through the streets prior to the crash, he is alternately wearing a grey t-shirt or a Fairisle-type sweater under his jacket.

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Quotes

Luis Miranda Solares: Is this kidnapping or robbery?
El Chivo: It could be the last day of your life.

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Crazy Credits

To Luciano: Because we also are what we have lost. Special Thanks to: "Abba, Pater"

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Alternate Versions

The following are from the deleted scenes on the DVD:

• An alternate ending where the camera is outside the house where El Chivo was holding the two business partners hostage and two gunshots are heard.
• A comedic and tender scene between Daniel and Valeria which would have come shortly after Valeria returned from the hospital. Valeria wakes up Daniel in the middle of the night to help her get to the bathroom.
• A conversation between Daniel and Valeria in their apartment where Valeria reveals to the audience that she had an abortion.
• A brief scene where Octavio bursts into Susanna's mother's apartment searching for her.

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.1 (2011)

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Soundtracks

La cumbia del garrote
By Carlos Alberto
Performed by Los del Garrote

User Reviews

Masterpiece!!

This movie is a must-to-see if you can get over the 'subtitles' fact. (I didn't have no problems with it because I understand Spanish). Personally I was really impressed by the quality, perfection, and superb acting of this Mexican movie. The movie consists of three different stories connected by one sole incident. Sometimes you will see the same scene from a different point of view. Or you'll see an out of place scene that will make sense later on. The script was exquisite, very loyal to the culture. The direction was brilliant keeping us interested from beginning to end. And the performances were excellent, so natural and real that you felt as if they were people you knew. Be aware there's extreme violence in this movie, and even though there were kids in the theater I went to, this is not a family movie. I don't recommend it for children if you are a responsible parent. This movie deserves an award.

Details

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

13 April 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amores Perros

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$61,047, 1 April 2001

Gross USA:

$5,408,467

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,908,467

Company Credits

Production Co:

Altavista Films, Zeta Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min 115 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1