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Ratas, Ratones, Rateros follows Angel (Carlos Valencia), a criminal and ex-convict that is on the run from a loan shark, and seeks refuge with his cousin, Salvador (Marco Bustos), a young petty thief himself that idolizes him. As they try to stay ahead of the hit men that are chasing Angel, Salvador finds himself more embroiled in his cousin's lifestyle.
This Ecuadorian film from 1999 follows a similar template to many American crime films of the era, with fast-paced direction and editing and morally ambiguous characters, but does it in a way that feels fresh enough and very much of its place. The direction by Sebastián Cordero is confident and the script, although sometimes on the messier side, still has enough interesting strands to hold the interest.
But to me, what puts the film above others is Valencia's performance. He has such a charismatic persona, exuding both threat but also the magnetism that makes Salvador idolize him so much. Bustos' performance doesn't reach the same levels, but he's playing the "straight man", so he's not supposed to be as captivating as Angel. Still, he plays his character's "descent" fairly well.
There are some spotty performances here and there, but in general, the acting is pretty good all over. There are some subplots that feel unnecessary, and the conclusion wasn't as satisfying as I would've expected, but this is still a pretty solid debut by Cordero, and a pretty good crime film on its own.
Grade:
RATAS, RATONES, RATEROS
(1999, Cordero)
A film from Ecuador
(1999, Cordero)
A film from Ecuador
"We've got to go on, man, or we won't get anywhere. Don't forget we share the same blood."
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros follows Angel (Carlos Valencia), a criminal and ex-convict that is on the run from a loan shark, and seeks refuge with his cousin, Salvador (Marco Bustos), a young petty thief himself that idolizes him. As they try to stay ahead of the hit men that are chasing Angel, Salvador finds himself more embroiled in his cousin's lifestyle.
This Ecuadorian film from 1999 follows a similar template to many American crime films of the era, with fast-paced direction and editing and morally ambiguous characters, but does it in a way that feels fresh enough and very much of its place. The direction by Sebastián Cordero is confident and the script, although sometimes on the messier side, still has enough interesting strands to hold the interest.
But to me, what puts the film above others is Valencia's performance. He has such a charismatic persona, exuding both threat but also the magnetism that makes Salvador idolize him so much. Bustos' performance doesn't reach the same levels, but he's playing the "straight man", so he's not supposed to be as captivating as Angel. Still, he plays his character's "descent" fairly well.
There are some spotty performances here and there, but in general, the acting is pretty good all over. There are some subplots that feel unnecessary, and the conclusion wasn't as satisfying as I would've expected, but this is still a pretty solid debut by Cordero, and a pretty good crime film on its own.
Grade: