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Midaq Alley

Original title: El callejón de los milagros
  • 1995
  • Unrated
  • 2h 20m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
Salma Hayek in Midaq Alley (1995)
Adapted from the novel by Nobel Prize laureate Naguib Mahfouz and winner of numerous international awards, Midaq Alley explores the intersecting lives of a diverse group of individuals whose stories converge inside a vibrant Mexico City neighborhood. Among them is local cantina owner Rutilio (Ernesto Gómez Cruz), a family man who gives in to latent homosexual desires. His son, Chava (Juan Manuel Bernal), yearns to emigrate to America, while the desperate spinster Susanita (Margarita Sanz) dreams of finding a husband. Finally, there is Abel (Bruno Bichir), a poor barber whose romance with the innocent beauty Alma (Salma Hayek) tragically ends after she is coerced into a life of debauchery.
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
18 Photos
DramaRomance

The lives of men and women living on Callejón de los Milagros in Mexico City.The lives of men and women living on Callejón de los Milagros in Mexico City.The lives of men and women living on Callejón de los Milagros in Mexico City.

  • Director
    • Jorge Fons
  • Writers
    • Vicente Leñero
    • Naguib Mahfouz
  • Stars
    • Ernesto Gómez Cruz
    • María Rojo
    • Salma Hayek
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    3.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jorge Fons
    • Writers
      • Vicente Leñero
      • Naguib Mahfouz
    • Stars
      • Ernesto Gómez Cruz
      • María Rojo
      • Salma Hayek
    • 29User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 27 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:44
    Trailer

    Photos18

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    Top cast56

    Edit
    Ernesto Gómez Cruz
    Ernesto Gómez Cruz
    • Don Ru
    María Rojo
    María Rojo
    • Doña Cata
    Salma Hayek
    Salma Hayek
    • Alma
    Bruno Bichir
    Bruno Bichir
    • Abel
    Delia Casanova
    Delia Casanova
    • Eusebia
    Margarita Sanz
    Margarita Sanz
    • Susanita
    Claudio Obregón
    Claudio Obregón
    • Don Fidel
    Juan Manuel Bernal
    Juan Manuel Bernal
    • Chava
    Abel Woolrich
    • Zacarías
    Luis Felipe Tovar
    Luis Felipe Tovar
    • Güicho
    Daniel Giménez Cacho
    Daniel Giménez Cacho
    • José Luis
    Gina Morett
    Gina Morett
    • Doña Flor
    Óscar Yoldi
    • Ubaldo
    Esteban Soberanes
    • Jimmy
    Eugenia Leñero
    • Tina
    Tiaré Scanda
    Tiaré Scanda
    • Maru
    Álvaro Carcaño
    Álvaro Carcaño
    • Doc. Beltrán
    Eduardo Borja
    • Macario
    • Director
      • Jorge Fons
    • Writers
      • Vicente Leñero
      • Naguib Mahfouz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    7.33.5K
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    Featured reviews

    10pilot19

    Lives intertwined beautifully and tragically

    This story demonstrates the intertwined and tragic minutia of common folks told in a dramatic and realistic format. The ensemble cast members are at ease with one another as they display acts of beauty and brutality. The theme of love unfolds from the neophyte, to the jaded, to the unabashed. The actors appear natural and believable (unlike some Latin "novelas"), developing their characters in a seamless and effortless fashion. The devotion to cultural stereotypes only lends credibility to the story's environment and development. The attention to detail (Susanita's teeth for example); make the characters as believable and endearing as any in recent memory. This movie is a brilliant look at human tragedy. Watching it with someone you love only makes it more moving and poignant. Excellent!!!
    7Keep_Searching

    Outstanding Mexican movie

    This movie is an impressive and exciting story about the people,their feelings,love,desperation,anger and hope.Although the scenario is a little bit melodramatic , the film is a must indeed.It is quite different from the blockbusters with happy ends because it is real and outstanding.Several lives and fates are mixed in it.Every character has their own unique personality.They all have to take decisions for their lives and have to fight for happiness.The actors are very nice.The stunning Hayek makes a good performance .Gomes Krus is also convincing as a man who becomes gay after 30 years marriage.The supporting roles are also well-played.Don't think that this is some kind of soap opera- it is something deeper...
    7TanjBennett

    universal Cairo story retold for Mexican audience

    This film was not made for Americans, or even with the thought of marketing outside the USA. Just like Hollywood remakes will redo a story for the US, this took a story written for Cairo and transplanted it to Mexico City without a trace of the original setting. It is framed and acted much like a stage play, and the focus is on the people. It's painful to watch at times, because the story grinds your nose against stories of people who are getting through some unpleasant times in some unpleasant ways and the pace does not let you escape - it is clear they want you to endure something of what the characters are going through. The acting is generally good, there are convincing portraits of a half dozen main characters and the supports aren't bad. Yep, the overall ending is predictable, but not unbelievable and a few of the side stories might surprise you along the way.

    I watched the DVD version. It has no extras or options. You get dialog in Spanish, English subtitles, in 4:3 format - no choices. Sound is stereo, color is ok and picture is competent.
    Brandy-28

    Excellent

    My Cable company just recently added the new Spanish HBO to my system. And I just so happen to be flipping through these channels looking for something to watch (you know, it's really late and there is nothing else on), well I came to the Spanish HBO and a movie was just starting with sub-titles. I thought, hey why not. This movie "Midaq Alley" was excellent. It had everything in a movie you could asked for. I recommend this movie highly to everyone, no matter what your ethnic background is - you will walk away from this movie with something. Trust me.
    10miguelcuba

    Excellent! Run to see it! Don't miss it!!

    Midaq Alley is the best foreign movie of 1995. The movie take place in Mexico's Downtown in a street named: " Midaq Alley". Basically the film show us the stories of three people from that neighborhood.

    Mr Ru whom after 30 tears of marriage is feeling homosexual falling in love with a young guy the same age as his son, making his wife's life miserable.

    Susanita and old lady whom never been married and doesn't know what is love, finally she falls for someone not very honest. The other one is Alma , played for Salma Hayek a young, beautiful virgin girl whom is interested in everything about sex and drugs. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It's worth the money!!

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Veronica Falcón's debut.
    • Quotes

      Doña Cata: Are you a Virgo, Susanita?

      Susanita: You know I never married, but when I was younger, well, the boy from the dry cleaner's and I...

      Doña Cata: When is your birthday?

    • Connections
      Featured in Who the Hell Is Juliette? (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Antojos
      Written by Lucía Álvarez

      Performed by Lucía Álvarez & Band

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 6, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Mexico
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • El callejón de los milagros
    • Filming locations
      • Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
    • Production companies
      • Alameda Films
      • Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (CONACULTA)
      • Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 20m(140 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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