Among all European cinema industries, Spanish cinema stands out as the most vibrant. This can be attributed to the successful Spanish filmmakers who strike a balance between Hollywood-like commercial content and European artistic sensibilities. A prime example is Alex de la Iglesia, a Spanish director known for elevating Hollywood exploitation film material to a new level, unrestricted by 1990s American censorship. In the late 1990s, de la Iglesia boldly aimed to surpass Quentin Tarantino, resulting in the 1997 crime drama Perdita Durango.
Based on the novel by Barry Gifford, who also inspired David Lynch's Wild at Heart, this film features Perdita Durango as the main character, portrayed by Rosie Perez. The story follows Perdita, a young woman from the US-Mexican border, who crosses paths with Romeo Dolorosa (played by Javier Bardem), a flamboyant bank robber and murderer who practices Santeria magic. Their passionate romance leads them to embark on a perilous journey involving a debt owed to a powerful crime lord, Santos (played by Don Stroud), which involves transporting a cargo of human fetuses across the border. To secure the favor of the ancient gods, Romeo and Perdita resort to a grizzly human sacrifice, targeting an American teenage couple, Duane (played by Harley Cross) and Estella (played by Aimee Graham), who are vacationing in Mexico. Meanwhile, US federal agent Willy "Woody" Dumas (played by James Gandolfini) is hot on Romeo's trail.
Though some critics initially dismissed Perdita Durango as another Tarantino-inspired film, de la Iglesia's influences extend beyond that, drawing from 1970s exploitation cinema and classic Hollywood films. The film sets itself apart with its polished direction and epic atmosphere, enhanced by the use of flashbacks. De la Iglesia skillfully pays homage to classic films while infusing the narrative with a more sinister sense of humor, graphic violence, and explicit sexuality. The film's exploration of cultural differences between the characters on both sides of the US-Mexican border adds depth to the story, highlighting the contrasting values and lifestyles.
While Javier Bardem delivers a memorable performance as the macho Latin lover, Rosie Perez's portrayal of Perdita may come off as overly intense at times. The supporting cast, including Don Stroud and Aimee Graham, excel in their roles, adding depth to the narrative. Overall, Perdita Durango may not be a groundbreaking film, but it captivates audiences and showcases the prowess of European filmmakers in challenging Hollywood conventions.
Rating: 7/10 (+++)
(Note: The original text was posted on the Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on April 7th, 2004)
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