A La Mala – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

A young actress finds herself testing men’s fidelities while she waits for her big break. One which may come if she does one last job.

Characters & Story

Maria Laura, aka Mala (Aislinn Derbez), is an educated actor who can’t find a role to save her life. However, with rent due, and her not wanting to take advantage of her best friend Kika (Papile Aurora), like Pablo (Luis Arrieta) does, she decides to take Kika up on an offer which will change her life. What is said offer? Well, the offer is for Mala to use her beauty to see if men are faithful to their girlfriends, wives, and what have you. A job which is very lucrative, but doesn’t compare to the legit acting opportunity Patricia (Daniela Schmidt) offers her.

But, before Mala gets the chance to be a legitimate actress, with a starring role, she has to con a man named Santiago (Mauricio Ochmann). Someone who Mala doesn’t have the best opinion of, but Patricia wants her to make him fall in love with her and then break his heart. Question is, though: will she be able to make a man fall in love with her without falling in love as well?

Praise

Though it is shallow to say, and perhaps not the best way to start off a review, I must say Derbez is very stunning. However, don’t take her to be a pretty face, like Jessica Alba, who seemingly is only worth casting due to her looks. I say this because, arguably, Derbez can act and will draw you into the story. One which perhaps doesn’t use the premise of a girl presenting temptation to guys to the fullest, but seemingly that is to keep the film lighthearted.

But, taking a strong focus on Derbez’s co-stars and the story, I won’t say there is a whirlwind, “oh my god I want someone to look at me like that” type of romance between Derbez and Ochmann. However, they do have enough chemistry, and are both likable enough, for you to want to become invested in their relationship. Also, I would be remiss to not mention that while Derbez handles the romantic part of the story well, it is Alvaro (Juan Diego Covarrubias) and Pablo who handle the comedy. Which, again, isn’t on the level which will make you roar with laughter, nor is their commentary something which will leave you with much, but they both keep the movie from ever feeling too long.

Criticism

While I do adore this film, I must admit that, in retrospect, it doesn’t have the most interesting of plots or characters. This is mostly because, at the end of the day, Mala is a good girl just trying to pay her rent. And yeah, she is skeptical about men and love, but we are never provided the root to her issues to make the character seem like she has depth. Also, when it comes to the romance of the film, it goes by the very familiar formula of: They meet, one seems annoying to the other, they get to know each other, they fall in love, one reveals something which puts the relationship in danger, and then they reconcile and live happy ever after. Though, I should note, the ending isn’t full-on fairy tale.

Overall: TV Viewing

I will admit I am mesmerized by Derbez’s beauty, but even that isn’t good enough for me to say you must see this movie. For with the film not having the most engrossing characters; lacking jokes which can do more than provide a chuckle; and with the story not necessarily providing us the type of love story you would be envious of, but more so it seemingly be about: Rich guy meets pretty girl, who just so happen to fall in love, there isn’t a huge selling point here.

For, overall, A La Mala is decent enough to rent, but I wouldn’t say to go out of your way to get to a local theater to watch it.

Things To Note

For whatever reason, Kika, multiple times in the film, speaks English. Which is only weird to me since she is the only one to have full on sentences in English, while everyone else speaks Spanish exclusively.

Collected Quote(s)

“Seeing it is different from making it happen.”

—           A La Mala