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Reviews
Ratas, ratones, rateros (1999)
A privilege to watch...
Ecuador has an almost nonexistent film industry. The country pushes out one feature every four or five years. I was intrigued by this fact, but also had low expectations as I bought my ticket at this year's Toronto film fest. But within the first few minutes I was already reeled into the lives of these characters. I can't think of one film that takes place in downtown Quito, and the place only appears on television (in Canada) when there's a major news story, a disaster, etc. But Rodents takes place in Quito's sprawling suburbs, a place most of us don't know exists. For this reason alone Rodents is worth the price of admission. On top of this it's a solid film, with fine acting, slick direction and a plot that keeps it's pace. It even delivers action and suspense -- no small feat considering the film's minimal resources. Felicidades, Quitenos!
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
Pork pies and talking boils
Definitely one of the best black comedies of all time. How many modern films can boast not one, but two impassioned soliloquoys? The script was tailor-made for Richard E. Grant, who has never been better, topping even his performance in that other Robinson gem, Withnail & I. Some may not appreciate the film's bizarre sense of humour, such as the boil's witty barbs as a farcical voice over, but there is no denying that this is one of the most original and sharp scripts of the past two decades.