13 Oct The Noble Family (Mexico)
2014 Mexico
SUNDAY 13 December 10.00 am
TUESDAY 15 December 8.15 pm
RUNNING TIME 108 minutes
SYNOPSIS
When a successful construction mogul realises that his adult children are spoiled beyond belief, he stages a fake company bankruptcy and seizes all of their assets, tricking them into believing they have become fugitives from the law. With mansions, cars, credit cards gone, there’s only one choice … work!
REVIEW BY GORDON FORESTER
Widower and workaholic business mogul, Germán Noble (Gonzalo Vega) finally sees that his three kids are keen to prove the old adage, ‘wealth shall not pass three generations’. Descended from hard earned money, Noble further improved his fortunes, but despairs, unable to instill any work ethic in his spoiled, vacuous children.
He stages a fake bankruptcy and, in the most extreme example of tough love, creates a situation where his kids are required to go out and get a job. His plan may be too little, too late but, like all good stories, there is more interest in the journey than the destination. Vega is engaging and persuasive in this role, and his character’s motivation to effect change is a credible catalyst.
Noble’s children are unlikeable but amusing before their challenge of living hand-to-mouth. Karla Souza is excellent as stuck-up daughter, Bárbara, who has everything: a trust fund, stunning good looks, and a love-to-hate gold digging boyfriend, Peter (Carlos Gascón). Luis Gerardo Méndez is convincing as the eldest son Javi, whose buddies are keener to party than work. His mates mindlessly agree with every crazy entrepreneurial idea he has, never telling him the truth, all the while drinking their body weight in alcohol at Javi’s expense. Juan Pablo Gil is delightful as the youngest sibling, Charlie. A bit of a hippy lover-not-fighter, he lacks drive and direction. His good looks and charm, which initially get him plenty of love with the ladies, transition to something more akin to a curse. It is up to the trio to pull their weight after some considerable soul searching and desire to afford to eat. Secrets are revealed and with the ensemble eventually working well amidst their new hardships, they must decide how their lives will continue when the plot is exposed.
Enjoyable supporting performances come from Mario Haddad as the business confident, Anwar, and Ianis Guerrero, as good-guy-we-hope-gets-the-girl Lucho.
This comic-drama shot in Mexico City, is well scripted and Director/Writer Gary Alazraki delivers a fluidly shot, uncomplicated, polished film that entertains. Stay past the credits for a brilliant Mexican-style, Spanish language version of the song, Blame It on the Boogie.