User Reviews

This is an intelligent story of racial violence and xenophobia with countless violence and brooding message . Scorpion in Love is a thoughtful film concerning an interracial love relationship , an urban fable that tells us the story of Julián (Alex Gónzalez) , a young man who with his best friend Luis (Miguel Angel Silvestre) participates actively in a group of violent neonazis leaded by a fanatic man called Solís (Javier Bardem) . Julián 'Alacrán' López begins to train in a boxing gym and slowly sees how the discipline of this sport and the goodness of his trainer start changing him. But unexpectedly, he falls in love with Alyssa and his redemption is near, Luis and the rest of the pack will return to stop him from leaving behind his nazi past.

Interesting picture dealing with an attractive and poignant story of superation , revolving around the thorny troubles in which a Nazi boxer becomes involved and the woman who came in his life . It's an important production about racism and Nazism with lots of violence , strong love scenes and some unpleasant images . The main reason for this decent flick turns out to be Alex Gónzalez as a young fighter, active member of a radical and violent neo-Nazi group who finds true love, and with it, a new purpose in life. This fine actor projects toughness , sensibility , wisdom , fear , and stubborness equally well . Álex González being accompanied by a good cast , such as : Miguel Ángel Silvestre , Carlos Bardem as Carlomonte providing the most remarkable performance , Judith Diakhate , Hovik Keuchkerian and special apperance by Javier Bardem. The fabulous protagonists give competent interpretations . Filmmaker Santiago A. Zannou draws on the repertoire of topics and clichés in his second film which is based on the novel by "Carlos Bardem" himself that holds homonymous title "Scorpion in love" . It tells the typical story of redemption and self-improvement of a Nazi who is more than well known and predictable , as it bears certain resemblance to classic ¨American History X¨ but in Alacrán enamorado it is not credible or convincing at all. The biggest problem with the film is its script with too much topics , little elaborate situations and some holes, which apart from not delving into the characters is stretched like chewing gum to develop it , including many unnecessary bulky scenes. However , Zannou's direction is adequate and the interpretations are good enough . In short, it results to be a rehashed film that doesn't add anything new that hasn't been seen before, such as : "Taxi" (1996) , "Romper Stomper", "The Believer", "Pariah", "Napola" or "This Is England".

It contains exquisite cinematography by cameraman Juan Miguel Azpiroz. As well as sensitive and hauntingly wonderful musical score by Woulfrank Zannou , including some catching songs . The motion picture was well directed by Santiago Zannou . He's a craftsman director of a few films Shorts and documentaries , being his first one : El truco del manco (2008) , and his sencod one , this Alacrán enamorado (2013) . Rating : 6/10. Acceptable and passable.

How can you escape the circle of violence once you've entered it? With more violence? Or let's say "controlled" violence. Possible, but will our main character here be able to do so? You have to watch the movie to see that. It's a decent one, but not a great one. What seemed surprising at first, was the fact Javier Bardem was playing in it too ... might have to do with the fact another Bardem is on the cast list.

Whatever the case, the main actor is doing an OK job, portraying his dilemma. The tagged on love story (with added "color", no pun intended, but "story"/character serving) feels a bit off and put on, but it's overall believable (mostly). There is some nice advice to the boxing people, but I guess nothing someone already in the business wouldn't already know.