Search - Jalisco Canta en Sevilla on DVD

Classic Mexican Cinema

Michael N. Escobar | Los Angeles, CA | 08/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the finale piece shown at a retrospective of Fernando de Fuentes' work at UC Berkeley a few years ago. It is apparently the first major Spanish-Mexican film co-production.

The story of a down-on-his luck Mexican drift who goes to Spain to collect a surprise inheritance is a real pleaser. It's a romantic comedy whose protagonists are really the two countries of Spain and Mexico. This message was most appealing to Latin American conservatives of the mid-20th century, who emphasized their personal and national Spanish and white heritage over and above their indigenous, brown heritage. But how can you find fault with this movie, which in the end is just a really sweet and fun story?

Outstanding are some lovely songs with the famous Jorge Negrete, and a lengthy musical finale involving marvelous performances of Spanish and Mexican folk songs and dances. Very nice photography and acting as well. On both sides there are some cliche stereotypes in places, but it's all in good fun."