The melodramatic film called El Callejon De Los Milagros tells four stories focusing on different characters that show how their lives are interconnected. The film starts by introducing Rutilio, a hard working bar owner who discovers he is homosexual. The second story introduces Alma, played by familiar Salma Hayek, who dreams of escaping her middle class lifestyle. The plot focuses on Alma, whose goddess-like, untouchable character has ultimate control and is wanted by many men. When introduced into the plot, her establishing shot is a low camera angle and almost Juliet-like as she sits in her window sill looking down at Abel, the man that adores her. The third story revolves around Susana, a woman who dreams of finding a husband and uses tarot cards to find answers. In the last story Chava and Abel return home from the U.S. which stitches the stories together, but also tears everyone apart.
After the boys return, a theme of torn relationships proves nobody can be trusted and viewers begin to learn that this is not a hegemonic model of a Hollywood film. Relationships begin to crumble, scenes are shot at night, giving the story a dangerous tone, and the ending doesn't leave the audience satisfied. Rutilio crushes his wife and son when they learn he is homosexual, Chava is controlling and disloyal to his new wife, and Susana's money is stolen repeatedly by her husband. Losing patience with her boyfriend, Abel, living in the U.S., Alma becomes engaged to be married. When her fiancé dies she is lured by Jose Luis who offers a spontaneous lifestyle of drugs, sex and money. Ultimately, Alma becomes a whore and a cocaine addict and is no longer in control as Jose Luis tears everything away that matters, including her self worth and even Abel. Ultimately Jose Luis is the most powerful and successful character when it comes to getting what he wants; everyone else is left feeling hopeless.
This film is deserving of its many awards as Jorge Fons effectively gives us a story that shows love is not something everyone stumbles upon without effort.
After the boys return, a theme of torn relationships proves nobody can be trusted and viewers begin to learn that this is not a hegemonic model of a Hollywood film. Relationships begin to crumble, scenes are shot at night, giving the story a dangerous tone, and the ending doesn't leave the audience satisfied. Rutilio crushes his wife and son when they learn he is homosexual, Chava is controlling and disloyal to his new wife, and Susana's money is stolen repeatedly by her husband. Losing patience with her boyfriend, Abel, living in the U.S., Alma becomes engaged to be married. When her fiancé dies she is lured by Jose Luis who offers a spontaneous lifestyle of drugs, sex and money. Ultimately, Alma becomes a whore and a cocaine addict and is no longer in control as Jose Luis tears everything away that matters, including her self worth and even Abel. Ultimately Jose Luis is the most powerful and successful character when it comes to getting what he wants; everyone else is left feeling hopeless.
This film is deserving of its many awards as Jorge Fons effectively gives us a story that shows love is not something everyone stumbles upon without effort.