|
 he Mexican movie "Cronos" is
undoubtedly one of the better horror films of the 1990s. At times
unsettling, at other times moving and compassionate, this is a vampire
film that never conforms to any of the given rules or wisdom regarding the
genre. Beautifully made, this is a true gem; a thoughtful and creepy
experience awaits those who seek it out.
The story follows aging Mexican antiques dealer Jesus
Gris (Federico Luppi, also in the director's "The
Devil's Backbone"), who comes across an odd, beetle-shaped device
in an old statue. As he inspects it, the artifact whirs to life, sprouting
claws that dig into the flesh of his hand. The next day, Jesus finds
himself feeling younger and more energetic than he has in years, a fact
that he rightly attributes to the mysterious contraption.
However, this new vitality comes at a terrible price,
as Jesus develops an uncontrollable thirst for human blood. His dark
voyage of self-discovery is complicated by the violent attentions of the
sinister millionaire Dieter de la Guardia (Claudio Brook) and his vicious
thug of a son, Angel (Ron Perlman, "Hellboy"
himself). Addicted to the use of the device, Jesus comes to realize that
he is evolving both physically and emotionally into a monster that may be
a threat to the granddaughter he loves so dearly.
Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite directors of recent years, having
been responsible for the underrated killer cockroach flick "Mimic",
the wonderful ghost story "The Devil's Backbone", and more
recently, "Hellboy". "Cronos" is a perfect showcase
for his skills, and del Toro directs it with a real sense of maturity and
patience. This is a film where the horror creeps up slowly, through the
seductive guise of a wondrous miracle that turns tragically sour.
Although it is a reworking of the vampire myth, the
plotting in "Cronos" is measured and subtle, with no sudden or
needless twists. Del Toro skillfully builds the solemn atmosphere without
the use of any tacky devices or the unnecessary insertion of artificial
set pieces. There's even very little gore. Having said that, there are a
few unpleasant moments, including one disturbing scene where Jesus licks
blood from the floor of a restaurant bathroom.
Although suspenseful and quite unsettling in places,
"Cronos" is not a film specifically played for sudden frights or
shocks. This is the type of movie that sticks in your mind, providing
thought provoking chills rather than jump out of your seat shrieks. This
might make the proceedings seem somewhat slow to the impatient viewer, but
I personally found the story completely absorbing.
Another aspect of this film that I particularly enjoyed was the very
European feel to the set design and cinematography. The film has a
beautiful look, and great attention has obviously been paid to even the
smallest details. Every frame has an unobtrusive and gothic appearance,
especially during the scenes in Jesus' antique shop. This result in the
viewer leaving with the impression that they have just watched a sinister
fairy tale. The golden Cronos device itself is a real joy to behold, a
fantastically crafted item whose baleful whirring heralds doom for all who
would make use of it.
The acting in the film is excellent, especially from Luppi. Tamara
Shanath, as his young granddaughter, is far less annoying than young
actors often are in this sort of situation. Ron Perlman too is superb in
the awkward role of a very human thug, whose obsession with plastic
surgery provides the film's only comic relief.
The film benefits greatly from the fact that in Jesus,
we are given a well-written and believable character. The audience views
the film through his eyes, and we accompany him through the horrors and
wonders of the changes that are affecting his body and mind. This is done
very successfully, and we come not only to empathize with the man, but
more important to care about what happens to him. This of course makes the
horror all the more effective.
I would strongly urge any film fans to seek out "Cronos". A true
work of craftsmanship, this film is fascinating, moving and unsettling.
Del Toro is definitely one of the most promising directors to emerge from
the horror genre in recent years, and given the strength of his recent
Hollywood outings, his star will only continue to rise.
|
