Rage (Rabia) (DVD Review)

5 Feb, 2011 By: Angelique Flores

Prebook 2/8/11; Street 3/8/11
Strand
Drama
$24.99 DVD
Not rated.
In Spanish with English subtitles.

Rage is the latest thriller from writer and director Sebastián Cordero (2004’s Crónicas). Produced by Guillermo Del Toro, the film is based on the novel Rabia, by Argentinian writer Sergio Bizzio.

This tragic love story is set in Spain and centers on two poor immigrants: Rosa, from Colombia, who works as a live-in maid for a wealthy couple, and her new boyfriend, South American José María, who works in construction. Rosa’s pretty looks draw attention and lustful comments from the neighborhood men, much to José María’s disdain. Not much for words, he uses his fists instead to express his anger. One man ends up dead when José María punches him at a construction site and he falls down a story.

Upon hearing the news, Rosa admits she knows little about this man who has been nothing but loving and respectful with her.

With the police after him, José María hides out at the Torres residence, where Rosa works, not even letting her know that he’s there. He keeps in touch with her by calling her from the Torres’ second phone line, but keeps his distance even as he sees her mistreated by the Torres men and throughout her pregnancy with his child. How José María gets out of this mess keeps viewers guessing until the tragic end.

While the film at heart is a moving but dismal love story, Cordero makes a subtle yet hard-to-miss commentary on the inequality of the classes, between the rich and the poor, the immigrants and the citizens.