I’m Gonna Explode (Voy a explotar)
DVD Guest Review by Manda Bull
Roman is troubled, undisciplined and bored; always causing his congressman father grief. Maru is lonely, waiting for someone to sweep her off her feet. The timing was perfect. Their plan seemed foolproof, too. With a Volkswagen, a gun and a plan; they were set to change their lives for the better. It all started with a pact…
This is a classic tale of teenage rebellion and angst wrapped up in a tragic love story a la Bonnie & Clyde or Romeo & Juliet. As heavy as that may seem, there is quite a bit of dark humor throughout the movie. A particular scene at the beginning was very reminiscent of Harold and Maude.
Most interesting was the dialogue between our duo of mexi-alts. Their honesty is genuine and precious, creating an unbreakable bond of friendship and love. To quote Maru, “Something to fight for, something to live for… A twin. A Perfect Accomplice.”
The DVD features the theatrical trailer and also, a vivid making-of video. This features on-set footage, audition tapes and a pretty hilarious scene of a drunken crew member trying to get his hotel room open after a long night of partying.
Overall, I enjoyed this film. It was beautiful, but… subtitle-haters beware! (I didn’t mind a bit.) The soundtrack features Bright Eyes, a perfect score to emphasize the story. Roman and Maru’s wardrobe makes them seem effortlessly cool-looking, even while on the run. Loved the addition of a Smith’s poster to their makeshift home. No one sings about angst like Morissey can. If foreign cinema or tragic romance stories are your guilty pleasure, add this to your list.