Crónicas (2004)

72% of critics liked it
(71 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(2,619 ratings)

A man with a secret forms an uneasy alliance with an opportunistic reporter in this drama from Mexico. Manolo Bonilla (John Leguizamo) is a broadcast journalist for a Latin-American tabloid television series who has been sent to Ecuador to cover the funeral services of three children who fell victim… More A man with a secret forms an uneasy alliance with an opportunistic reporter in this drama from Mexico. Manolo Bonilla (John Leguizamo) is a broadcast journalist for a Latin-American tabloid television series who has been sent to Ecuador to cover the funeral services of three children who fell victim to a mass murderer known as "the Monster of Babahoyo." Shortly after Bonilla finishes interviewing a young mourner, the child is struck by a car driven by Vinicio Cepeda (Damián Alcázar), a traveling salesman who pedals bibles. The crowd assembled to pay their respects flies into a rage, pulling Cepeda from his car and nearly killing him. Bonilla's intervention ends up saving Cepeda's life, but the reporter is ashamed to admit that he and his cameraman didn't break through the crowd to save the driver, but in hopes of getting a better shot of those beating him. Cepeda is jailed for manslaughter, and when Bonilla visits him behind bars, he shares some unexpected news with the reporter -- he claims to know the identity of "the Monster of Babahoyo," and also knows where the killer has buried other victims. Cepeda is willing to share this information if Bonilla can help get him out of jail, but instead of handing the information to the police, Bonilla decides to investigate himself, certain that another scoop on the case will boost his ratings and his career. Crónicas was screened as part of the "Un Certain Regard" series at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Sebastián Cordero
Written By: Sebastián Cordero
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jul 8, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Nov 8, 2005
Studio: Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
A riveting exploration of good and evil where the line between the two is unclear.
Janice Page, Boston Globe
Nothing in this would-be thriller grabs you by the throat, never mind reaches down to your guts.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
As good a commentary on our present media age as you're likely to find.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
An ambitious social-commentary melodrama that works about half the time -- until it engages in the very behavior it sets out to condemn.
Achy Obejas, Chicago Tribune
[Cordero's] lens is focused on a larger ethics, on what makes human beings heroes and monsters.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Cronicas is the kind of tense, terrific suspenser that screams for a Hollywood remake. Only the remake won't be anywhere near as good, so check out the original.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Proceeds breathlessly and hysterically towards a story that in the end, seems to have hardly left the finish line.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Proceeds breathlessly and hysterically towards a story that in the end, seems to have hardly left the finish line.
Lewis Beale, Film Journal International
A blunt instrument of a tale, with considerable emotional impact.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review in Greek
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Though Cronicas isn't as suspenseful as it could have been, the performances are strong and the mob scenes are unforgettable. When all is said and done, it's TV journalism that takes a beating.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...thoroughly underwhelming and surprisingly dull.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Nothing special, unless you want to take that expensive Screenplay 101 class from home.
Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Leguizamo tackles his first Spanish-language role with considerable aplomb.