The Wall of Mexico

Therein lies the issue. At nearly two hours, The Wall Of Mexico is far too long and the characters, aside from Don, are too thinly sketched to hold the attention of the viewer for that amount of time. The hint that the well water is magical, if you will, doesn’t come until almost 30 minutes in, and the idea that people are stealing from it comes ten or so minutes after that. Even then, it is only a few questions to Don about anything he has seen on his nightly rounds. Thus, 40 minutes into the movie, there is finally a conflict of some sort.

During that time, the audience discovers Henry is a good boss, pays well, but is very protective of his family and estate. Tania loves to party and be promiscuous, and when she’s not getting her next high, via drugs or some other means, she’s depressed. Ximena is clinical and possibly wishes she where a robot/ cyborg (there is an amusing moment where that is brought up, but I couldn’t tell if it was a joke). These traits are established in the characters’ respective first scenes, and there is no growth or arc there. Thus, the film does not hold your attention very well.

“…lenses the opulent setting in a way that is both enticing and disarmingly surreal.”

The kicker here is that the cast is bloody brilliant. Rathbone, probably best known for his role in the Twilight franchise, is excellent as Don. He wants to help his employer, but as things get crazier, and when his curiosity gets the best of him, that turn is sold beautifully and believably. His chemistry with all of his co-stars is also fantastic across the board. Berkley, as the groundskeepers, is also quite good. His reaction to his anger and hurt over being fired is palpable and relatable.

Sacramento and Zumbado are fantastic at playing these detached, spoiled rich girls. Sacramento sells her character’s highs and lows impressively, and the cold, clinical manner Zumbado states all these crazy facts or quotes various authors or philosophers is almost creepy but still fascinating.

If you cut 30 minutes out from The Wall Of Mexico, so the theft from the well is introduced earlier on, the movie could work as a dramatic fountain of youth tale. But as it stands, despite an impressive cast and gorgeous cinematography, there isn’t much to hold the viewer’s attention.

The Wall of Mexico screened at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival.