After the rural bus adventures of SUBIDO AL CIELO/’52, urban conveyance means Mexico City trolleys in this further example of Luis Buñuel-Lite. If anything, ‘Lite-er,’ with Buñuel not taking a writing credit though slightly daft Dada-ist tendencies & religious scepticism remain. The trouble starts when a pair of low-level trolley engineers show initiative at their workplace, fixing up a decommissioned trolley car so it runs like new. Bad idea, a new cab is already scheduled to go into rotation and the men laid off for insubordination! Taking the old car out for a final joy ride after an evening of drinking and amateur Biblical theatricals (Buñuel must have written that part!), the trolley is continually mistaken for being in service with various groups of customers boarding for a free ride. (On a trolley, even joy rides must stick to the tracks.) Finally sobered up, the guys now can’t get back to the station without being seen and getting everyone in trouble. But then luck sends them an honest man; and as no bureaucracy as big as Mexico City Public Transportation can handle an honest man (especially when he's a cranky retiree), there’s still hope the crime won’t be discovered. Lovingly paced and acted, with a bit of romance folded in, the film is as sweet-natured as anything in Buñuel. Plenty of stupidity to go around, but very little meanness other than from that petty old, honest man. Slight, but fun.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: As mentioned, SUBIDA AL CIELO/MEXICAN BUS RIDE. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2010/08/subida-al-cielo-ascent-to-heaven-aka.html
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