Casa de mi Padre is set to be one of the year's successful comedies, and judging from its marketing, not necessarily amid the Spanish speaking community, though it cannot be guaranteed. By the looks of things, the million dollar question is: Is this a Spanish movie? Perhaps it is best to confirm that now with a straight answer. Yes.
When Raul Álvarez (Diego Luna) returns home with Sonia, his new fiancé (Genesis Rodriguez), his simple brother Amadito (Will Ferrel) provides refuge as she escapes ties with the notoriously dangerous (and comically romantic)narcotraficante, Onza (Gael García Bernal). Innocent but beautiful, Sonia is forced to play a role in the lives of each male protagonist. However, the plot is sympathetic towards simple Amadito, inciting hysterical dialogue between the bluntranchero and the damsel in distress.
Writer Andrew Steele wraps it up with a fairly predictable happy ending to which the film did not seem unlike other simpleton-protagonising comedies. The elements of a western were there, from suave gangster papis to latin beauties but it was a more original blend of old school Mexican cinema and new American comedy, mocking of Mexican stereotypes and clichés. The overall feeling is that of a familiar western comedy with an anchorman spin on it, notably the bootleg action sequences involving puppetry.
Humour is drawn from family themes such as brotherly rivalry and the simplicity of a ranchero's life. The latter manages to squeeze in a mariachi style musical number involving a ridiculously drawn out glass smashing sequence. Authentic to say the least, this scene is truly priceless and fortunately Yo No Sé is available for download.
With regards to drug cartels, it seems, generally speaking, that a hollywood audience likes a greasy, slick drug lord, the stereotype portrayed by García Bernal and Luna. The film plays on mexican stereotypes within the nation's insecurity by means of ludicrous bloodshed and Carteles. Such humour is questionable when one considers Mexico's reality but does Casa de mi Padre perhaps attempt to underline that? It is not an impression you get, however were it a straight film it could go unnoticed.
At first glance, one may have mixed expectations; an American trailer selling a Mexican film with a Mexican cast and English subtitles? This is surely aimed at the US crossover audience where 1 in 4 Amercans will soon be of hispanic origin mainstream audience with Will Ferrel's appearance in the role of Amadito Álvarez, alongside a couple of gringo sergeants, and Gabriel García Bernál and Diego Luna no doubt luring Hispanic audiences.
The film is funny, colourful, vibrant, it has great music, an attractive cast and that bereft type of humour. These are the things you want to know. On the downside however, it is nothing revolutionary in its storyline. On top of that the story plays no tricks at any point in order to spice things up a bit. They are certainly not a boring 84 minutes but they are short lived and fairly weak plotted, not allowing a great deal of thought and feeling reach many of the characters.
It could be said that with a couple of quite daring plot changes, raised budget and a minimal cast alteration, Casa de mi Padre could become a straight, action thriller based around the same glitz, still enabling Aguileira to belt out the opening titles with this fabulous, hair raising, Bond-like theme tune, perhaps one of the best things about this movie but again.. shortlived. By all means treat yourself to a laugh for it is not worth missing out on some wonderful Mexican gangster cinema, with an authentic feel and a modern sense of humour. In many ways it serves its purpose as the first of its kind.
