Reviews (1)

Witty, mischievous, and idealistic.
Mexican comedian Cantinflas is an incredibly youthful-looking 65 in this, his next-to-last movie. This is a comedy with a lot of heart and goodwill. The diminutive Cantinflas, playing a cop, can't pull a Dirty Harry on the preppy rich kids parking on the sidewalk, can't lasso a suicidal husband off a high ledge, but uses his wits and wit to resolve the problems. Naturally, he gets off his share of great one-liners and sight gags, too.

Not surprisingly (due to his age and build), the only scene that doesn't work is when he singlehandedly beats up four burly mafiosos. The main plot centers on his battles with these thugs, who also keep a stable of hookers. Perhaps the movie's greatest accomplishment was portraying the prostitutes as complicated humans, without romanticizing them a la "Payback" or "Pretty Woman."

Cantinflas also battles his bribe-demanding superiors and colleagues in a frank airing of the problem, which unfortunately has only worsened. The movie's idealism is admirable and almost poignant in light of the deterioration of Mexico City's police department since the movie's 1977 release. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bunuel at his best.
This is one of the best creations by Bunuel. As always, unpredictable, surrealistic, beautiful, witty and puzzling. The cinematography is extraordinary, too. This is a true masterpiece for those who like Bunuel or enjoy the art of cinema.
Not a Hollywood mass-production style movie, for sure.

A Jewel Of Mexican Cinema.
"The Criminal Life Of Archibaldo de la Cruz" is yet another brilliant film from the great Luis Bunuel. It vibrates with his exquisite eye for composition, style and eroticism. It's one of those films that keeps you gripped and watching without any actual violence (though there is some with the Bunuel mark of surrealism). The performances are all convincing, the plot is complex and keeps you guessing all the way through. There are surprises large and small and it all seems so real because Bunuel makes it all so plausible, he had such an insight into human behavior which is really evident here in a film driven completely by story and characters, more by the characters actually. There is also a lot of style here in the photography, costumes, settings etc. Bunuel was not a tame director and here his eye for style and conversations and behaviors is what makes this a brilliant jewel of cinema from his "Mexican years" after he left Spain. "The Criminal Life Of Archibaldo De La Cruz" stands among his best works. He shows a touch of eroticism here that is convincing and artistic (it usually has to do with his obsessions with legs and shoes, but it's brilliantly filmed). Here we have a great example of cinema driven by the characters and their minds, lusts and dark secrets. We really feel as if we are in the mind of de la Cruz. As always, Bunuel adds his touch of surrealism, which is great. Don't miss this one, great cinema. ... Read more