Roma is a film that was beloved by critics and audiences at film festivals alike that Netflix didn’t have a huge theatrical plan for — but now they’re doing a limited engagement and I think it deserves to be seen big.
Without ruining much, Roma is a deeply personal film about a family-in-transition in Mexico City in the early 1970s as viewed through the maid’s eyes.
It plays a bit like a series of interconnected vignettes and some sections are much better than others (there’s at least one eye roll/heavy sigh) — but there’s a surreal playfulness/supreme darkness to some of it and, strangely, it flirts with magical realism while also dealing with heavy topics.
This picture’s got a little something for everyone: homages to The 400 Blows, melodrama, dog shit a’plenty (perhaps the most ever captured on film?)*, familial secrets, nude martial arts, bad dad antics, violent revolution, tender moments, mistresses, arguments, Gene Hackman, and the coolest giant crab you’ll ever see.
Attention to 1970s Mexico City detail — utterly incredible.
Apparently there was a shakedown during filming and several people had their belongings stolen.
More than a few portions of the film reminded me of Fellini’s 8½ and Godard’s Weekend.
Director Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Gravity) conducts an orchestra of human experience/emotion while also coordinating some massively impactful camera work.
One major moment didn’t land for me — but others in the theater had a different opinion.
Masterfully shot on digital 65mm.
Streaming on Netflix December 14th — see it in theaters or find a friend with a big-ass TV.
By no means a “dollar film” (*despite the large presence of dogshit), but I don’t think you should skip this one — the price if you’re a Netflix subscriber… is certainly right.
Easily the best film Netflix has produced to-date.
Yalitza Aparicio makes her feature film debut as the lead character and she’s great. The whole cast feels like a family.
2 hours 15 minutes
I suspect this will be nominated/win Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.