As a cinephile who grew up watching movies with my parents every weekend, I must say that discovering Cantinflas was a delightful surprise. Before seeing “Cantinflas”, I had no idea about this Mexican comedic genius and his impact on cinema.
A key fact about me is that I’m open to almost any kind of media, as long as I choose to engage with it myself.
Often times, people say to me, “You really ought to watch these Netflix films and series from 2024,” to which I usually reply, “I’ll definitely give it a look!” However, this response can sometimes imply that I won’t actually watch them. Conversely, I’ve watched many movies that are probably unfamiliar to you, such as the 2014 Mexican biopic, ‘Cantinflas’.
Since we’re currently celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, it seems like an ideal moment to discuss this movie that has crossed my mind numerous times over the past decade. Shall we spend a few moments together to delve into it?
First Of All, I Never Even Heard Of Cantinflas Until I Saw This Film
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve caught every Best Picture winner on screen, including the 1956 classic “Around the World in 80 Days.” In this film, the comedic actor Cantinflas takes on a pivotal part, portraying Passepartout.
If you’ve seen the film that was adapted from the book, and you’ve familiarized yourself with its characters, you’d realize how crucial this character is because he serves as the valet to the lead character in the narrative.
Initially, when I saw the movie “80 Days“, I wasn’t familiar with Cantinflas at all, nor did I realize his significant role in the Mexican community. To my initial impression, he was simply a comical character on the journey. Nonetheless, this biopic opened my eyes to the man behind the actor and the extraordinary life he lived.
Beyond this, I gained additional insights into the broader history of Mexican entertainment. After all, Cantinflas – born as Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes – is often likened to Charlie Chaplin in a Mexican context (a point to be elaborated upon later).
This movie, featuring “Sopranos” actor Michael Imperioli in the role of renowned film producer Mike Todd, introduced me to a type of cinema that was completely new to me. Had I not seen this film, I probably would have remained oblivious to it.
I Like The Way The Film Is Structured
Concerning “Around the World in 80 Days”, it was fascinating to learn that Cantinflas garnered a Golden Globe award for his performance in the film. What makes this biography intriguing is its organization around that triumphant moment.
We delve into Mario Moreno’s modest origins and how he single-handedly crafted the iconic Cantinflas persona. Meanwhile, Mike Todd – tired of the monotony in Hollywood – seeks novelty and discovers it in Cantinflas.
Throughout the movie, the narrative gradually leads up to their encounter, a moment that ultimately propels them on the journey to achieve the 80 Days challenge. However, prior to this climactic event, we are treated to scenes of Cantinflas honing his skills in shabby diners, eventually rising to become one of Mexico’s most cherished stars.
For the first time, I came across Cantinflas only through this movie. This movie not only proved to be an enjoyable watch but also served as an educational experience about his life. Thumbs up!
I Also Learned So Much About How Similar Cantinflas Was To Charlie Chaplin
Being a connoisseur of classic black-and-white films, particularly the realm of silent cinema, it’s no surprise that I hold Charlie Chaplin in high regard. Movies like “City Lights,” “Modern Times,” and “The Kid” are just a few examples that demonstrate his timeless appeal. To countless others, Chaplin is undeniably the quintessential classic film star.
And yet, according to this film, Chaplin was a great admirer of Cantinflas, which is again, something I had no idea about. As I mentioned earlier, he is often considered the Mexican Charlie Chaplin, and you see a lot of parallels between the two, such as silly boxing matches, and overall hijinks where Cantinflas finds himself being chased.
In a specific moment, it seems as though Charlie Chaplin intentionally arranged a meeting between Cantinflas and Todd.
It’s fascinating to find out, though the truth may be uncertain, that Chaplin was not only aware of Cantinflas but considered him as a contemporary instead of a competitor. Isn’t it intriguing?
The Film Is Both Funny And Dramatic When It Needs To Be
On weekends, before our little ones came along, I’d join my folks at the cinema. Occasionally, we’d select films based on my preferences, while other times, it was Dad who chose the flick (Mom, fellow movie enthusiast, was always game for some popcorn).
Initially, when my father chose the movie titled Cantinflas, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. The poster displayed an image of a man with a comical mustache gazing at a hot air balloon, with the caption, “Journey from Mexico to Everywhere.” Curious if this was supposed to be a comedy or something else, I inquired about it to my dad, but he merely shrugged and proceeded into the cinema.
It turned out that the movie in question was a blend of comedy and tragedy, skillfully combining the two genres. Earlier, we discussed Ranbir Kapoor’s films, and I mentioned one film about Sanjay Dutt’s life. While I enjoyed it, there was an emphasis on the dramatic side that felt slightly excessive to me.
The film “Cantinflas,” when considered as a piece of cinema, doesn’t face the issue you mentioned. While it’s true that Sanjay Dutt didn’t choose to focus on comedy like Cantinflas did, I appreciate how this movie manages to be both funny and dramatic when necessary. For instance, in one scene, even with his vast fortune, he yearns for something he can’t obtain – biological children.
Instead of being a secondary event happening during his journey to stardom, this aspect could have been. However, it plays a significant role in the narrative, and I appreciate how the movie delved into it thoroughly. This depth only adds to the sense that the film is an intimate portrayal of his life, going beyond what was necessary.
It Got Me Interested In Other Cantinflas Pictures
Ultimately, the comedian Cantinflas sparked my curiosity about watching more of his films. So far, I’ve only watched one, but it seems to be one of his best. The movie is called, “Ahi esta el detalle,” which means, “There’s the detail” in English, though I’ve heard it can also translate to “There’s the rub,” as in the line from Hamlet.
The movie is fast-paced, featuring mix-ups among characters, an unlucky event involving an animal, and lots of mischief. However, what caught my attention (for me at least) was that I couldn’t locate a translated version, so I ended up watching the entire film in Spanish instead.
However, here’s the surprise – I still found myself quite fond of it! Cantinflas was truly an extraordinary artist, and in this movie, he displayed a captivating blend of self-assuredness and a kind of naïveté that made him utterly endearing.
As a devoted fan, I’m eagerly looking forward to watching more Cantinflas movies soon, particularly “El bolero de Raquel” which I’ve heard is excellent. However, before diving back in, I feel it’s necessary for me to improve my Spanish skills a bit further so that I can fully appreciate the subtle humor and verbal wit next time around.
Have you watched Cantinflas so far? If you have, what were your thoughts on it? Additionally, during the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, I wish you a delightful time!
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2024-09-23 12:37