Review of Amores Perros (2000) by Stephen E — 16 Sep 2012

In my opinion, "Amores Perros" is less comparable to "Pulp Fiction" than it is to, say, "Magnolia." It's a violent flick, but sets aside stylized dialogue and clever scenes for tense, involving drama.

Rich performances, a well-defined, multi-layered screenplay, and completely consuming cinematography justify the film's rather cumbersome length, which seems to drag every so often. The stories that bookend the film are seriously involving dramas, while the one in the center feels only slightly contrived.

(Luckily, it's the shortest of the three.) Overall, "Amores Perros" is a well-made, thought-provoking, ultimately satisfying ensemble piece.