Yes, the plot outline is not lying, this story is basically about a man who gets the obstinate, obsessive desire to eat a turkey all by himself.
Macario is the stereotypical indigenous Mexican peasant - laconic, stone-faced, ignorant, and gullible, and while we come to find him a charming hero because he's clearly a good-hearted guy, his personality and simplicity don't change throughout the film.
In other words, the influence from Grimm's Fairy Tales and other such fables is palpable - a one-dimensional protagonist gets involved in a situation that leads to an entertaining but impactful lesson for the audience.
Here there doesn't seem to be a lesson, but the story is certainly entertaining and excellent as food for thought. The film leads one to contemplate on the nature of mortality, poverty, the purpose of life, and the vicious trap of poverty and ignorance.
Many of the performances are hammy, so the film is a bit silly and at times feels like a feature-length after school special (I once saw a made-for-TV movie about the Emperor's New Clothes and I remember getting a similar feeling to watching this). I found it humorous although I really can't tell whether it was meant to be so by the director (I have the feeling it was not).
My compliments to the José Gálvez, who plays Mexican Satan. I don't think I've ever seen such a delightful portrayal of the devil in film. Really seems like the kind of guy who would challenge a fiddler to a musical death match.
Honorable Mentions: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle - another movie about a wild journey for the sake of satiating hunger.
Macario is the stereotypical indigenous Mexican peasant - laconic, stone-faced, ignorant, and gullible, and while we come to find him a charming hero because he's clearly a good-hearted guy, his personality and simplicity don't change throughout the film.
In other words, the influence from Grimm's Fairy Tales and other such fables is palpable - a one-dimensional protagonist gets involved in a situation that leads to an entertaining but impactful lesson for the audience.
Here there doesn't seem to be a lesson, but the story is certainly entertaining and excellent as food for thought. The film leads one to contemplate on the nature of mortality, poverty, the purpose of life, and the vicious trap of poverty and ignorance.
Many of the performances are hammy, so the film is a bit silly and at times feels like a feature-length after school special (I once saw a made-for-TV movie about the Emperor's New Clothes and I remember getting a similar feeling to watching this). I found it humorous although I really can't tell whether it was meant to be so by the director (I have the feeling it was not).
My compliments to the José Gálvez, who plays Mexican Satan. I don't think I've ever seen such a delightful portrayal of the devil in film. Really seems like the kind of guy who would challenge a fiddler to a musical death match.
Honorable Mentions: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle - another movie about a wild journey for the sake of satiating hunger.