This film inspired endless laugh out loud moments although you can't help hesitate with unease at the truth underpinning much of what the film spoofs. This film is a satirical farce about corruption, greed and social inequality in modern day Mexico. It is a punch in the face of big business and its leaders and the corruption that power spawns.
The cast of characters alone is enough to check out this movie. Exceptional performances are given by Julieta Egurrola who plays Elena Lascuráin, the lonely and jilted wife to cheating, corrupt, money laundering and all around 'jerk' husband, Dr. Enrique Laguardia (who fakes his identity as William Gonzalos in order to launder millions), hilariously played by Fernando Luján. It is no wonder that both received Best Actress and Actor Awards, along with the film for Best Film at the Guadalajara Film Festival in 2000. While a bit over the top, Ms. Egurrola comically captures the disillusionment of Elena who has given up her life, love and career to be with an arrogant man who only recognizes her worth as someone who will pack his suitcase for a phony business trip which he spends with his mistress, Rita, played by the very lovely, Maria Isasi-Isasmendi. Enrique (aka William) is despicable on the highest level. He is second in command for the Con and Trix Corporation which fronts for a drug smuggling and money laundering operation in the guise of a food producer that distributes radiation contaminated milk to the poor for government social programs.
The plot quickly spins into several subplots that ultimately weave back to the greedy and unscrupulous antics of Enrique. Enrique who is thought to be William, Rita's rich boyfriend, gets kidnapped by the exceedingly funny but inept kidnapping duo played by Carmen Delgado and Alvaro Guerrero. Meanwhile, Elena learns of her husband's philandering that she mistakes at first as a joke until she meets Enrique's mistress Rita, an aspiring rock star. And back at the firm, Enrique's unassuming secretary and her boyfriend who has been laid off from Con and Trix uncover the money laundering of millions into a Swiss Bank account amidst massive layoffs at the company. As Elena discovers the truth about her husband, she begins to live life again, just as Enrique's life spirals out of control as his many misdeeds are revealed through a hilarious comedy of errors that take place while he negotiates his release from the bungling kidnappers.
Recommended for people who can laugh at themselves and the contradictions of power, greed, inequality and social ills that brand modern day Mexico.
