This Amazon drama focuses on the true story of Saul Armendariz, a low-rent 1980s Mexican wrestler who adopts a flambouyant 'exotico' character Cassandro that shoots him to fame and challenges homophobic attitudes in the macho-centric sport and society of the time. It is a well-rounded portrait of the protagonist, not only showing his evolution but also exploring his key relationships, notably with his close mother, absent father and another (married) wrestler. The story follows a fairly well-worn trajectory but portrays the character with sincerity and sympathy. The excellent Gael Garcia Bernal always finds the vulnerability in the characters he portrays, and here he also conveys an almost naive joyfulness balanced with sadness in an extremely nuanced and finely-tuned performance. The film has a reasonable amount of grit and honesty within its standard rags-to-riches tale and is well made, but the real reason to watch is the central performance.
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