Carlos Reygadas's Battle in Heaven is a visually stunning and emotionally searing drama that tells the story of Marcos, a middle-aged chauffer for a wealthy family in Mexico City, who is plagued by guilt and shame over a terrible crime he has committed. The film opens with a long, stunningly shot static shot of Marcos's face as he stands still in front of the wheel of his car, his eyes empty and his body motionless. From the very beginning, the film establishes a hypnotic, dreamlike mood that lingers throughout, with beautiful, languorous shots of the city, interspersed with jarring cuts and extreme close-ups of flesh and bodily fluids.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Marcos kidnaps his boss's daughter, Ana, a high-priced escort, and takes her to a remote location, where he confesses to her his shameful crime. The scene is intense and uncomfortable, with the camera lingering on Marcos's naked body as he confesses his sins to a horrified and disgusted Ana. Despite his pleas for forgiveness, Ana refuses to be swayed by Marcos's emotional outpourings, and the film ends on a note of ambiguity, with Marcos still searching for redemption and absolution.
One of the most striking features of Battle in Heaven is its deeply complex and nuanced portrayal of Mexico City, with its crowded, frenzied streets and its stark contrasts of wealth and poverty. Reygadas's camera captures the city's beauty and squalor with equal intensity, weaving a tapestry of images that convey both the hope and despair of life in modern Mexico. The film is also notable for its frank and unflinching depiction of sexuality, with several explicit sex scenes that are integral to the story and the characters' psyches. These scenes are not titillating or exploitative, but rather serve to deepen our understanding of the characters and their motivations.
Overall, Battle in Heaven is a challenging and thought-provoking film that leaves a lasting impression on its viewers. With its stunning visuals, vivid characters, and raw emotions, it is a film that demands to be seen and discussed.