Absolutely the worst movie.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

A movie obviously molded after "Natural Born Killers" and "From Dusk Till Dawn". There was an attempt to give it the attitude of the former and the unpredictability, "comedy" (and kidnapping + "road-movieness") of the latter. However, "NBK" was done with flair and a superior visual style, plus it was surreal so most of its shortcomings could be forgiven. "FDTD" is much weaker than "NBK", but "PD" makes it seem like "Remains Of The Day".It's obvious from the first scenes that there is going to be mayhem and chaos. However, what wasn't to be expected at all was that the title character would almost completely change her personality in the second half; they started her off as a deranged, grinning psychopath with evil to spare, and by the end of the movie she was a sobbing wreck!!!? Her "gradual" progression from psycho-bitch-from-hell to woman-in-love is one of the worst (i.e. best) cases of bad characterization in movies that I've ever seen.It is clear from the start that while Bardem is a merry lunatic, she personifies evil, and is much worse than him. Anyhow, both of them are lunatics. At the outset. But later on, they actually even develop some sort of bond with the kidnapees; while Perez talks about love with Graham (albeit reluctantly), Cross confides to Bardem the way he would to his closest friend. Evidently, the goings-on concerning the kidnapees are meant as comic relief, but it's neither funny nor logical. It isn't logical how Perez and Bardem took the two kidnapees with them after being attacked and interrupted at the sacrificial ceremony. But this is an example of a forced plot-device; the scriptwriter decided that the kidnapees must fulfill their comic purpose throughout so he saw to it that they get dragged along by Perez and Bardem everywhere, when it made sense and when it didn't.The way Graham handles that situation with the gun is hopeless; instead of killing both kidnappers, she has a discussion with Perez, then hands the gun over to her! That was neither funny nor smart nor interesting nor anything; it was just plain idiotic. Generally, the behaviour of the kidnapees was totally absurd a lot of the time. And how about beating a joke to death? First a car hits Gandolfini and this may have been funny to some, but later the same gag is used on Graham's father. Dumb.Overall, I get the strong impression that this movie wasn't much more than a self-indulgence vehicle for the director and its male star.I'm sure this film has many fans, but then again why not? If John Woo, Gus van Sant, and Tom Cruise can have fans

A wild Spanish roller coaster ride of a film has Rosie Perez and witch doctor Javier Bardem as two lovers on the run, kidnapping a couple of very irritating teenagers with an idea of using them in some bizarre sacrificial ceremony (these kids were so hateful, I couldn't wait). All of this feels kind of familiar, and it bounces all over the place. However, seeing Rosie Perez undertaking the part of a skanky slut is probably the best use I've seen her put to so far, and I must admit that Bardem is very powerful and charismatic in what is otherwise a pretty messed up film.*1/2 out of ****

Based on Barry Gifford's novel, Perdita Durango follows the exploits of the mysterious, dark, violent and sexual creature of the same name- a woman with a violent and criminal past (who incidentally pops up for a few scenes in Wild At Heart, played by Isabella Rossillini). Full of dislikeable characters, violence, voodoo, and sex, Perdita Durango is an intriguing film which attempts to say something about the state of the modern, stupid white America whose lives are defined by the shows they watch, and the kids who have no real opinions of their own. Unfortunately, we must sympathise with this group as they have been kidnapped by the malevolent Perdita and her lover Romeo so the message is not as strong as it should have been. On the other side though, the kids are very annoying and we cannot feel much sympathy for them, and just when we think we are disgusted by Perdita and Romeo, we find ourselves rooting for them. It is a strange film, messing with our conceptions of good and evil, and by the end we have the feeling that there is no good or evil, only stupid and lucky.Perdita, played by Rosie Perez meets the mysterious and deadly Romeo, played by Javier Bardem who is planning to hijack a truck load of foetuses and bring them over the boarder from Mexico to N. America. They team up and have a fiery partnership which eventually leads to lots of dark sex and some semblance of love. Before they can do the job though, Romeo needs human victims to sacrifice to his Gods so that they will give him favourable odds. They kidnap two typical naive American teens, Duanne and Estelle, and begin their journey. As they travel, they get to know each other more, but just when you think they will become friendly and the kids might be saved, the two Mexicans soon show their dark sides again. On their tales are some DEA agents, including James Gandolfini, the girl's obsessive but stupid father, and a couple of groups from Romeo's past who want him dead. Things are looking bleak for all concerned, and perhaps not even Romeo's Gods can save him. As all the groups come together, Duanne and Estelle manage to escape for the moment, and Perdita tries to persuade Romeo to forget about the job. He will not give in though.Banned and cut to shreds in many countries for its violence, nudity and use of other shows and films. It is dark, there is quite a lot of violence and sex and drug-use, but there is a wry sense of humour throughout, and everything is so fantastical and bizarre that it is difficult to take any of it seriously. We do not get a grasp on any of the characters as none are likable, but each have some good points. The performances of Perez and Bardem are both extremely good so we are drawn to them more than any other character, they seem so frantic and their faith is so strong that we cannot help to enjoy a few scenes they have. Gandolfini and Alex Cox are also good in smaller, comic roles, the two kids do everything they can, but are just there to annoy the viewer. There are many bizarre and funny moments, Estelle's father's final scene is one of the best moments. Definitely a film for those willing to see something out of the ordinary, it is rewarding and has some strong performances, good action, dark humour and an insane plot. If only there was a greater emotional content which only appears in the last few minutes.7 out of 10

Following the success of El Dia De Bestia and Accion mutante, once again the director pursues the nature of dark obsession. The two main leads are dysfunctional amoral sadists who re in some ways rediscovering a part of them that they miss - love. It's a story of trying to move on but the main characters are very amoral however there's darker circles than them, which pulls them further down the spiral. In essence this movie is an antithesis of a glamour Mafia movie and I believe represents Mafia dealings in a very dark fashion. In some ways I believe there's a nod to David Lynch with the actor playing the Mafia boss.The film is not a sick puppy nor is it banal. For those that have followed this director they will read between the lines to discover some salient points of US government intervention out of the states and human traffic - in this case embryos used for beauty products. Like 'clean Madrid' in El Dia de Bestia there were fascist movements in the capital at the time. Iglaisia puts this on the screen as a cultural reminder.Watching this movie at face value will seem very ultra violent and in some places extremely disturbing. Unlike other cult producers like Tarintino Iglasia uses a loot of cult cultural references to make his films extremely dark and funny (like La Communidad). If you're Latin or Spanish I feel there would be a lot more in this movie for you. Recommended viewing - but not for the faint hearted.