Review of Miss Bala (2011) by Paul W — 01 Sep 2012
If Miss Bala is in any way representative of the Mexican film industry, I'll be watching more Mexican movies. This super-realistic (based loosely on a true story) film is told from the point of view of a 23-year-old Tijuana woman who enters a Miss Baja beauty contest and then, by being in the wrong nightclub at the wrong time, is abducted by members of a violent criminal cartel.
You as the viewer don't know any more than she does; you're pulled along with her from scene to scene, first as she tries to escape only to be turned back over to the cartel by corrupt police, then as she's forced to be a mule in a cross-border money for ammunition deal, then as she's forced to participate in an attempted assassination.
Everything has the feel of truth. I was frightened all through the movie and am still, hours later, jumping at sudden noises. There isn't a bit of flash or Hollywood unreality here; everything is so real you can taste and feel it.
One of the most impressive movies I've seen in a long time, worth every subtitle.
This review of Miss Bala (2011) was written by Paul W on 01 Sep 2012.
Miss Bala has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
