Why so much hype?

A Major Disappointment

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

If you watch this film today chances are you'll come to it having already seen Alejandro Inarritu's more recent, famous English work like 'Birman' (2014) and 'The Revenant' (2015), both of which rank as modern classics. Having already seen both of the above I was interested to know what Inarritu's Mexican films were like and I was not disappointed. 'Amores Perros' or 'Love's a Bitch,' the title being a pun on both love itself and dogs, both of which feature prominently.The basic premise of the film is a now well established and copied trope of a central, connecting event through which a variety of stories are spun off, usually in cities. In 'Amores Perros' a car crash brings our three main stories together and a variety of love and situations, types of love and good and bad outcomes. The most interesting is the final and climatic arc of the El Chivo character, who is dotted throughout the first two stories in a mysterious and half taunting method, drawing us closer to the finale and his piece.There is a tendency in films like this to fall into melodrama but Innarritu maintains the realism of his picture well. The brutality of the interconnected stories too, also feel realistic. The only real problem with it is some now very dated music for the soundtrack which sticks the film in its late 90s/early noughties feel. There is also a danger that such films attempt to say too much about life in too little time or too much. Whilst Amores Perros runs for about two and a half hours at no point does it feel too long nor does the film feel like Inarritu is attempting to say all he can about love, life, cruelty and the world.The role of dogs in their human masters and abuser's affairs is a clever little motif that helps draw the stories together. They, as much as the human cast, deserve applause. For the most part the characters we are privileged and horrified to be privy to their lives feel real, honest and actual people. There is sympathy yes, but never too much and the ugliness of humanity is made clear without falling victim to dull nihilism.Even the shaky, gritty camera-work feels fresh despite its 2000 release date. Whereas action films since the Bourne series and its various descendants have killed shaky cameras before repeatedly desecrating their graves and using their corpses the setting and context of Inarritu's work means that the cinematography works well.All in all whilst it's not a perfect film 'Amores Perros' does what any good drama should do, deliver dramatic situations, sequences, stories and make us feel for the characters in equal parts pity and disgust.

Alejandro González Iñárritu is one of the most important names in Hollywood today. Amores Perros made his super entry to the film field, with nomination to the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.Two friends are in a hurry, driving vigorously on the street with a wounded dog in their car. They are being chased by another car. This leads to a horrific accident. From this point, three stories are revealed with the people involved in this accident.Each story is better than the other.The title directly translates to "Loves Dogs". This is the direct connection with movie Love and Dog. The situation of each 3 stories are connected with the dogs with them, and it's all about love.A really good film that will fascinate you about the brilliance of making and story telling.A must watch. Highly recommended.#KiduMovie

Amores perros, a.k.a Love's a bitch, a trichtype: three apparently disparate stories, not necessarily distinct, amalgamate and provide a combined effect on the viewer, has all the necessary ingredients of a simple movie aiming to tackle complex issues related, but not limited, to love, in all its forms, loyalty, treachery, faith, brotherly love , or lack of it, and hope. In one story, protagonist caves into lust and doesn't care whether God laughs at his plans; contrastingly, in the third plot beleaguered veteran, an assassin, tries to see clearly even though he jests earlier in the movie that if God wishes him to see everything blurry, he will do so. Just as having all the key ingredients, fresh and appropriate, doesn't guarantee an exquisite dish, so having appropriate cast, relevant production values and stellar writing doesn't promise a great viewing. This is where a director's worth really shows. While viewing the first part, the viewer feels adventurous, hopeful and eerily guilt. These feeling give way to feeling of irritation, nagging and loss of hope, during the second part ; one again feels hopeful, furthers his understanding of life and human nature, and acknowledges importance of moving on after viewing the third and final part of the movie. Innaritu's genius has an effect. It lies not in showing what life is, but in making the audience feel it. For English audience, who know little about fame of Mexican actors, the movie may sometimes feel like a well-directed and edited documentary, with close up shot spreading throughout the movie and realistic portrayal. You neither appreciate what most characters do, nor condemn them; because u realize love's a bitch!!!

Amores perros, in the style of 21 Grams or Crash (21 grams coming from the same director, Crash from a different director I believe), tells 3 stories about 3 different people (or pairings of people, actually), from 3 completely different walks of life in Mexico City that are united by an unfortunate and tragic car accident. Each struggle with love and loss, illusion vs. reality, as well as loneliness/isolation. Alejandro Gonzales Innaritu is a brilliant director and producer. Amores Perros is a film that can be viewed multiple times and interpreted slightly differently each time. The script is also so well written that the characters do and say just enough to tell the story, but leave enough vagueness to make you question the depth of their character and their motivations. Each story is accompanied by a parallel story involving man's best friend, el perro, the dog. All characters are accompanied by dogs, who mirror their life experiences in some aspect, as well as physical appearance (if you look closely enough). A perfect fit for the Spanish and English titles of the movie. You can tell every single little detail of this movie has been well thought out and carefully crafted. An excellent watch.