Movie Review: Cronos (1993)

Creating a distinctive and consistent vision is the most difficult task for any creator. And that is something Guillermo del Toro has managed to do in his two decade career. He is an author who has taken a handful of concepts that are of vital interest to him, (the contrast between the world of children and adults, authority and individual liberty, the mechanic and the organic) and has been able to develop them throughout various genres with great success.

Be it a big budget comic adaptation like Hellboy or a period piece like The Devil’s Backbone, del Toro is capable of leaving his unique artistic imprint to such degree that his name has become a trademark in contemporary fantasy film.

Del Toro debuted 10 years ago with the Mexican Government funded feature, Cronos.

Cronos depicts the story of a antique shop owner (Federico Luppi) who stumbles by accident with a 400 year old device that lengthens the lifespan of whom ever dares to use it. The thing is a creepy pocket watch that sticks itself rather painfully to any part of the holders body and sucks blood like a leech. If that doesn’t discourage you to use it, you should know it also turns you into a vampire… Not good.

The device is fancied by some rich industrialist (Claudio Brook) with a terminal disease that desperately looks for it with the aid of his vain and half hearted henchman (Ron Pearlman). The plot much revolves around the growing obsession of Luppi for the device and the failed attempts of the industrialist to gain control over it.

Federico Luppi shines in Cronos, giving the film serenity and focus. His character is the best explored in the film and his performance is subtle yet powerful. He is beaten, insulted and even killed a couple of times in gross fashion, which makes me think this should have been one fun shoot for everybody except him.

Both supporting actors Margarita Isabel as Mercedes and Daniel Gimenez Gacho as Tito, give outstanding performances and impress for their on screen presence. Specially, each time Gimenez Gacho (Get the Gringo, Nicotina) comes up with his greasy moves and hilarious improvisations, the frame seems to be lit up and graced by his acting.

Despite the well conceived imagery and overall excellent performances, the film has weaknesses that start with the script. Guillermo del Toro’s writing is somehow half baked. An understandable flaw if you take into account this was his first feature. Character motivations are conspicuous and superficial. The industrialist wants to live forever and the pawnshop owner wants to make his family happy. There’s not much more in there.

References to religion are also very shallow and obvious. The antique shop owner is called Jesus Gris (Jesus the gray) and the henchman is called Angel de la Guardia (Guardian Angel)… Here, del Toro is far from the rich subtext and underlining complexities of his critically acclaimed Pan’s Labyrinth.

But the traits for which he is now praised are present even at this early stage of his career. His camera use is serious and unobtrusive, with no unnecessary fancy shots or redundant camera moves. Unlike many directorial debuts, the staging of the action is conservative and serious, clearly intended to underline the performances and the well thought production design.

At the time of its release, I don’t think many thought this was the start of one of Latin America’s most brilliant and successful film careers. Despite the somewhat predictable plot and diluted premises, Cronos has more merits than flaws. It is a film that stands as a reminder of the importance of grants to boost first time filmmakers and gives to the world a singular, exotic portrayal of the myth of the Vampire.

This vampire tale is far from being the best bloodsucking movie you can sink your teeth in, but it will surely engross your list of the weird and unusual. Cronos is very recommended for a late screening with a patient pack of friends with interests in underground and uncommon cinema of the world. Guillermo del Toro regular fans will miss the action and high production values of his well known work, so be warned. But overall this is the perfect warm up for one of the most expected films of this year; Pacific Rim.