Seis días en la oscuridad. (Six Days in Darkness)

Reviewed by Rafael Ocasio, Agnes Scott Coll., Decatur, GA -- Críticas, 8/15/2008

(Mexico, 2003) color. Spanish (English subtitles). 90 mins. Laguna Productions. 2007. DVD. $9.99. DRAMA

Mr. Hadaf is a well-off Mexican businessman who seems to have it all, except for family bliss. His son, Claudio, a failing university student, enjoys all of the perks of growing up rich but without any responsibilities. Their relationship is so strained that they barely speak to each other. At the center of their personal tension is the mother, who is bedridden after having been the victim of a home robbery. Claudio’s hatred of his father increases until he finally fakes his own kidnapping in order to have his father pay a substantial ransom. The details of the kidnapping, executed with the help of two friends, produces an action film that attempts to probe the secret behind the robbery of the mother even as it fails to offer a persuasive psychological profile of a sick young mind. All the loose ends come together after a third friend puts together the missing links. Although intended as a mystery, this dull and predictable film seems more like a soap opera (perhaps because some of the actors are well known in that genre). It should appeal, however, to a young audience. Recommended as a secondary item in collections of modern Mexican cinema.