Review: ‘Post Tenebras Lux’ Lacks Heart, Underwhelms

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews,

What I mistook as ambition and mythology for Carlos Reygadas' decision to title his film, Post Tenebras Lux, in Latin ("Light After Darkness") was simply pretentiousness. Though the movie - shot in a 1:33 ratio - was undoubtedly as stunning as a Terrence Malick film, the semi-autobiographic pic was as self-indulgent as a Tyler Perry flick.

The Mexican film - which won the Best Director award at last year's Cannes Film Festival - is comprised of a series of vignettes, mostly centering on the lives of a family who has made the transition from city to country life. Reygadas' meditation on both internal and external human conflicts is too ambitious, resulting in a film lacking cohesion and theme.

(Do not read past the jump if you wish to avoid spoilers.)

Click to continue reading Review: ‘Post Tenebras Lux’ Lacks Heart, Underwhelms

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