I'm Gonna Explode (2008)

I’m Gonna Explode: Directed by Gerardo Naranjo. With Juan Pablo de Santiago, Maria Deschamps, Martha Claudia Moreno, Daniel Giménez Cacho. Tale of a young couple who throw caution to the wind and set out in search of their true fate. Román is the son of a contemptible, right-leaning congressman. Recently enrolled in a new high school, the rebellious teen clumsily attempts to hang himself on-stage at the big talent show. Maru is the sole member of the audience to applaud, earning both students a day of detention. After bonding during the course of their punishment, Román and Maru grab daddy’s gun, steal a Volkswagen, and hit the road bound for nowhere.

“Any empathy that a viewer might develop for these two alienated youths quickly dissolves: Roman is just another teen idiot with easy access to guns, and being the son of a wealthy politician, heu0026#39;s uncontrolled and knows no boundaries. Maru thinks Romanu0026#39;s alienation from society gives them a common bond, and they link up when she is emotionally vulnerable, feeling as-yet-unrequited sexual urges. Why either of them is disaffected is never explained. And that seems an intentional and satisfyingly realistic directorial choice, to show unthinking teens making bad choices with no plan, no hope, and no future. Things go poorly, as you might expect.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBoth lead characters are well acted; their understated approaches suit the mood and the personas. The supporting cast of u0026quot;responsibleu0026quot; adults receives much less screen time. The camera work is mostly fine. Too-close close-ups and hand-held views, all so unnecessary and annoying, are short and infrequent. Perhaps one day those fads will go the way of bell-bottoms and mullets or their Mexican equivalents.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe scenario, the characters, and the result of Iu0026#39;m Gonna Explode could play out in any one of many nations. I inferred a particular message, as indicated by my title above; others may experience it differently. Itu0026#39;s worth watching once.”