AFF 2010 Review: Adios Mundo Cruel

University of Texas alum and writer/director Jack Zagha Kababie makes his feature film debut at the Austin Film Festival this year with Adios Mundo Cruel (Goodbye Cruel World), a delightfully understated dark comedy from Mexico. Reminiscent of Jean Pierre-Jeunet's film Micmacs, the story focuses on an individual who through an unfortunate turn of events is pulled into a ragtag group of thieves and their world of crime. However, Adios Mundo Cruel is much more subtle and accessible to audiences who are able to identify to the main character's job situation and marriage woes.

Angel (Carlos Alberto Orozco) is a hard-working, mild-mannered accountant who wants nothing more than to provide for his family. His wife Claudia (Adriana Louvier) is content to stay home and watch soap operas all day -- so much so that any news of the day is about her favorite soap's character Luis Armando (Rafael Amaya). Unfortunately Angel is laid off from his job, and is greeted at home by the news that his wife has just bought a new car that they won't be able to afford. After an unsuccessful attempt to tell her that he's lost his job, Angel endures a series of job interviews so far from his experience, including in a pet shop and as a door-to-door cosmetics salesman.

While at a fair with his daughter, Angel is approached by a suspicious young man selling tickets for the rides. Angel winds up with the man's wallet and identification, and being an honest man, he tracks down the owner to return it. Trouble is that the wallet's owner is a member of a ragtag gang of thieves known as "The Fleet." The criminals mistake Angel for a con man, and invite him to join their gang. What ensues is a comical display of Angel's inability to think and act like a thief -- until he concocts a ploy to steal and ransom a lion from the zoo. Out of desperation, Angel must choose between staying honest and keeping his integrity intact, or resorting to crime to survive.

Co-written by Zagha and Enrique Chmelnik, Adios Mundo Cruel is witty and engaging, with a thorough treatise of each member of the gang of misfits that contributes to the plot's success. All the gang's activities are overseen by Inocencio (Justo Martinez), the gang's tough but sympathetic leader and his even tougher wife, Ines (Lourdes Villareal). They want nothing more than to retire to Cancun and enjoy a comfortable life off the money they can steal or swindle from others. Inocencio offers not-so sage advice to Angel. He believes that "no one has the right to say they're straight, until they get the chance to rob a shitload of money and don't do it." The gang works as an effective team pulling off minor thefts on the local bus and at the neighborhood pool ... except when a competitor encroaches on their bus route and Angel unknowingly "saves" Beto from drowning and unsuspecting swimmers from theft.

The editing creates smooth and even pacing of Adios Mundo Cruel, making for an enjoyable 90 minutes. The film is supported by a talented cast. Orozco as Angel gives just the right balance of innocence and desperation to make his character believable and sympathetic. The supporting characters were well-cast, especially the dim-witted thug Beto (Jose Montini) who becomes a partner in Angel's big heist.  Subtle touches such as Beto saying "Thank you" and Angel and Beto on a see-saw give Adios Mundo Cruel a comic brilliance. I look forward to watching this movie again.

Adios Mundo Cruel screens again at Austin Film Festival on Sunday, October 24, at 7 pm at the Regal Arbor Cinema -- Great Hills.