A love triangle amid the Mexican Revolution! I came across this creation thanks to one of my friends, and I must say, did not regret watching. Despite the fact that military melodrama "Cukaracha" filmed in Mexico, the film is shot according to quite Hollywood canons - revolution + love triangle - Hollywood has often used such a plot construction for many years.
The plot of the film is as follows: The action takes place in Mexico during the revolution of 1910-1920. After the last defeat, the troops led by Colonel Antonio Zeta (Emilio Fernandez) retreat to the village to replenish supplies, weapons and recruit men for the army.
In the village, everything is run by a daredevil woman nicknamed 'Kukaracha' (Maria Felix), so called for her excessive love. Zeta announces in the fort the mobilization of all men who are able to hold weapons, including the husband of Isabelle (Dolores del Rio), a local school teacher. The fates of these three people will be very closely intertwined together by a revolution that will radically change their lives and views on it.
Well, the plot of the film adheres to the Hollywood canons of epic war dramas, but the film, nevertheless, is interesting in itself. The script of the picture is very well worked out and shows the exact development of the characters of the main characters. For example, Colonel Zeta opens to us from different sides, and all the conflicting feelings of the main characters towards this character are well shown.
The acting in the film makes a good impression. Maria Felix temperament is very similar to such beauties as Ava Gardner, Sophie Lauren or Gina Lollobrigida, but her game deserves the highest ratings.
Dolores del Rio skillfully competes in the frame with Felix, despite a calmer role - I even thought that in some moments she was similar to Debora Kerr (in the manner of play, of course) - but this does not detract from her merits - played great!
Emilio Fernandez in the role of Colonel Zeta also copes well with his role, but his character against the background of the two above-mentioned female roles slightly fades into the background, although it may have been assumed.
The camera work also deserves good marks - the visual film is shot very attractively and the color scheme of the picture does not strain at all. Of the drawbacks of the picture, it is worth noting its imitation of Hollywood creations of this kind and a very predictable ending. But these shortcomings do not spoil the impression of viewing.
Summing up, we can say that it turned out, although not a masterpiece, but an interesting film about love and revolution - it is worth watching for viewers of different circles of preferences. Thank you very much.
7 out of 10