Nicotina (2003)

45% of critics liked it
(47 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(2,663 ratings)

The perfect crime goes horribly, absurdly awry in this Spanish-language tale of avarice starring Y Tu Mamá También's Diego Luna. Told in real time, Nicotina charts the different paths taken by eight characters over the course of a botched diamond heist masterminded by tech geek Lolo (Luna), Tomson… More The perfect crime goes horribly, absurdly awry in this Spanish-language tale of avarice starring Y Tu Mamá También's Diego Luna. Told in real time, Nicotina charts the different paths taken by eight characters over the course of a botched diamond heist masterminded by tech geek Lolo (Luna), Tomson (Jésus Ochoa), and El Nene (Lucas Crespi), each of whom has his own Achilles' heel when it comes to committing crime. For Lolo, it's his incessant, unrequited attraction to his neighbor Andrea (Marta Belaustegui); for El Nene, it's his overwhelming need to look cool as a neophyte gangster; and for Tomson, it's his loose-cannon demeanor that threatens to do him -- and everyone else -- in. Over the course of an hour and a half, the trio becomes intertwined with a variety of mobsters, shop owners, and not-so-innocent bystanders, each encounter bringing unexpectedly violent obstacles to securing the precious gems. Nicotina premiered in North America at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival before heading to the AFI film fest. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Hugo Rodríguez
Written By: Martín Salinas
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 20, 2004 Limited
On DVD: Dec 31, 2007
Studio: Arenas Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
A frantic crime thriller that never transcends its influences to arrive anywhere interesting.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
I suppose Nicotina is a gimmick film, but it's brought off with such verve it's great fun.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Skitters between dull and forced, this despite the use of split screens, jaunty music and the personable Luna.
Janice Page, Boston Globe
While obviously not a unique or uniquely satisfying experience, the film still does the job in a pinch, and looks cool doing it.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Rodríguez keeps the story moving with multiple images, quick zooms and other editing tricks that serve as reminders that Nicotina is not to be taken seriously.
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
For all its zoomy camera work and outrageous mishaps, the film is as stale as a forgotten pack of Pall Malls.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Will have to settle for being known as the Mexican 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The blunt attempts at dark humor merely underscore the film's cynicism...
Erik Lundegaard, Seattle Times
It feels lightweight and forgettable.
Ryan J. Downey, Premiere Magazine
More like a brisk television pilot for the F/X network (and looking a bit like it, too) than a film -- albeit a pilot for a really, really cool show.
Jay Antani, Los Angeles Alternative
Nicotina feels so comfortably middle-of-the-road...that it makes us ponder the purpose of its very existence and makes the task of reviewing it an absolute redundancy.
Paul Sherman, Boston Herald
Clever and entertaining.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[A] loud, engagingly frenetic black comedy...
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
After taking way too long to spark its many subplots, "Nicotina" smolders into an addictive romp that is at turns lightweight and grisly

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Marion R

Reminded me of Tarantino, in a good way. Overall I thought it was okay.
John M

Funny dark comedy from Mexico with unexpected situations.
Joy-Emily C

Another film I watched simply because Diego Luna is in it - and I'm glad I did. A brilliant script that interweaves through several people who's whole lives change through a series of unbelievable coincidences and with the underlying 'anti-smoking' message subtly… More
Another film I watched simply because Diego Luna is in it - and I'm glad I did. A brilliant script that interweaves through several people who's whole lives change through a series of unbelievable coincidences and with the underlying 'anti-smoking' message subtly taking place. Witty, thoughtful and shocking sometimes, this is a highly recommended film. Don't be put off just because it's Spanish.