Herod's Law (1999)

Herod's Law (1999). 2h 3m | R

“A perfect and abundantly Mexican version of Lord Actonu0026#39;s dictum, u0026quot;Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.u0026quot; In 1949 a local official of the ruling PRI (Pedro Armendariz as López) chooses a humble janitor (Damián Alcázar, as Juan Vargas) to be presidente municipal (u0026quot;mayoru0026quot;) of a dusty, dirty little village in northern México. Vargasu0026#39; is supposed to bring u0026quot;modernity and social justiceu0026quot; but as he gradually assumes power, he grows progressively more corrupt. He even acquires the 1930u0026#39;s symbol of rural elegance in México: a Packard. Vargas eventually challenges his mentor, with surprising but perhaps predictable results.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film was initially denied release because it paints a hilarious but extremely negative picture of women, of local priests, and of local government. It also includes a great deal of amazingly foul, but ultimately very funny, Mexican slang. Even the title, La Ley de Herodes, is part of a very crude saying that might (with considerable liberty) be translated as u0026quot;Law Blue: Do it to them or theyu0026#39;ll do it to you.u0026quot;”