Cassandro

I watched some footage of the actual Cassandro after we finished the movie, and it showed just how tame and bloodless this movie was. Why was Gael locked into this one bad haircut when Cassandro had great, grand hair?

This tameness also brings the storytelling down to a very banal level; the love story, the career rise-nothing felt like it had any real stakes. Only the relationship between Saúl and his mother raised this by-the-numbers biopic above the snooze-level.

I'm glad to have learned of this fascinating world of Lucha Libre and this interesting corner of queer culture, the Exoticas, but it could have been so much more fun.

An Amazon Prime original from last year starring Gael Garcia Bernal about the real-life luchador, Saul Armendariz aka Cassandro. Frustrated where he's at now in the wrestling game, openly gay Bernal formulates a plan to become an exotico (a wrestler in drag as it were) to up his game w/hopes to changing the tune of the establishment's rules of having exoticos always being the heavy in bouts even utilizing a known trainer, Roberta Colindrez, to hone his skills. At first reluctant to break tradition, a promoter seeing the turning of the tide from the audience decides to take the plunge & let Cassandro win which sends him on his way. On the home front all Bernal wants is to provide a home for his mother, Perla De La Rosa, & have his down low relationship w/his lover, Raul Castillo, to be out in the open even though he's married & has children. Coming to a crossroads when Bernal has to face off against El Hijo de Santo (who plays himself humorously complete w/mask) in his biggest match, we wonder if the vaulted underdog will do the right thing by the legend or let his headwind of victories go to his head? Bernal owns the screen here w/his winning performance of a figure who could've gone the tragic route but manages to overcome his status to do things his way w/more than a modicum of dignity w/a well supported cast, which includes Joaquin Cosio (he played baddies in Quantum of Solace & the James Gunn directed Suicide Squad) playing a promoter w/singer Bad Bunny himself playing his right hand man, lending a solid support to the proceedings.

With equal parts spectacle, grief, sadness, joy, sorry and... (no spoilers) Gael Gabriel Bernal gives us Cassandro! The film avoids most of the sports movie tropes, other than a training video with Sabrina, played by Roberta Colindrez, who is a female luchadora and trainer. She is spot on as Saul's (Cassandro's) friend and the mother is played by well by actress Perla de la Rosa. The whole cast is great and while I am not a fan of Lucho Libre, the film gives us an interesting take on the art form. Cassandro is an exotico (drag queen luchador) and the film is a tribute to the exoticos that came before. The ending does not disappoint.

# Pay full price.

Truly captures a great journey of finding your true self! We need more inspiring movies like this one for both the LGBTQ+ and Mexican communities! Had I known a story like this existed, it would have helped so much growing up. Being part of both communities, I felt so connected to several parts of the film. A film like this is so important to share with future generations! I laughed, I felt the toxic nature of several situations, I truly connected with parts of Cassandro's struggle. Without giving too much away, this is a movie not to be missed. The direction and acting were both stellar and i cannot wait to share this with others!

Greetings again from the darkness. One of the possible indicators that a movie is well done and interesting is when it draws you in despite having no similarities to the world you live in. I was transfixed by this film from writer-director Roger Ross Williams (Oscar winner for MUSIC BY PRUDENCE, 2009 short) and co-writer David Teague. I am not Hispanic, have no affinity for wrestling, am not gay, and don't wear makeup or do drugs or crave attention ... all part of Saul's life in this terrific little film.

The always outstanding Gael Garcia Bernal gives a top-notch performance as Saul Armendáriz who transforms into the titular Cassandro, an Exotico luchrador in the colorful world of Lucha libre (Mexican wrestling). Tradition says Exoticos take a beating in the ring while being subjected to the rowdy crowd's homophobic slurs screamed at maximum vocal volume. But Saul, who took his performance name Cassandro from a soap opera, has a vision where he body slams tradition, and periodically wins matches while simultaneously winning over the crowd.

Saul and his mother (Perla De La Rosa) have a tight bond, one developed after Saul's dad left home rather than accept his son who had come out as gay. We watch as Saul's skill and notoriety improve thanks to his trainer Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez) and promoter Lorenzo (Joaquin Cosio). In this world, unique relationships develop, and we see Saul with both fellow wrestler Gerardo (Raul Castillo) and Lorenzo's right-hand man Felipe (Bad Bunny). Ever-present is the cloud of 'daddy issues' that Saul carries, and we do wonder if the situation with his religious and closed-minded father (Robert Salas) will be resolved.

There is an odd cadence to the story's progression, and a few times it feels like the script skips through some important moments, while dwelling on some lesser scenes. Examples of this include Cassandro's climb to fame and an awkward talk show appearance where he is treated as a role model by a gay youngster. Still, the performance from Gael Garcia Bernal is so strong and charming ... his face truly lights up while in the ring ... that we can imagine on our own how he climbed the ladder of Lucha libre, as he instills in us the message of being who you are and staying true to yourself. All of this is complemented by a terrific score from Brazilian composer Marcelo Zarvos, who excels in the use of the trumpet here.

Opening in theaters on September 15, 2023 and on Prime Video beginning September 22.