[psycho d]

Cronos (1993). Guillermo del Toro's debut is a splendid take on a hit or oft miss genre. del Toro hits his mark with this Mexican offering that blends alchemical fantasy with the horror genre. Instead of centering on gore or relentless action, del Toro keeps the focus on life, and what is lost when life is pursued for quantity instead of quality. The story is simple but effective, with elements that could have seemed silly with another director's execution. The symbolism here is thick, and delightfully so. The actors are all appropriately named, marking their fundamental role in this rich flick. The tension is slow to build, but this only serves to fuel our appetites, like offering a snack on Thanksgiving morning in order to stave off our appetite for the ever-so distant afternoon feast. The acting was incredible, from the kindly grandfather, the silent and expression-filled child, and Ron Perlman's vanity-stricken thugness. As well, each character adds his or own unique caricature of humanity, ranging from the innocent truth of youth to the blinding delusion that tempts the aging into its nefarious snare. Blending horror with apropos comedy (like Perlman's abused nose), this low-budget movie will leave the audience with the feeling that they got their money's worth and more. The technicalities were assured, with the cinematographer to later offer his services to the likes of Tarantino and Rodriguez. With an ending whose simplicity marks the film's brilliance (literally), Cronos should enjoy a classic status when that movie birthday comes around. Merci beaucoup.
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