Hasta Morir

Well-directed, effective contemporary tragi-drama of disenchanted Mexico City youth focusing on two friends since childhood. One is a cool criminal dude with a 'Pachucho' tattoo, a pork-pie hat and a belief in knives (a noble weapon) rather than guns; the other a weak vessel with an dog who adopts an empty machismo when the pressure builds following a store robbery. Blending familar staples such as the Cain and Abel story, the doppelgänger and the conventions of the US ghetto movie, writer/director Sarinana nevertheless manages to turns a fresh eye on notions of couth and cool for today's barrio boys. Its enjoyable music track of acoustic guitar rock and Mexican-style funk sets the tone perfectly. No masterpiece, but it keeps you involved.