Las delicias del poder (1999) User Reviews

Hilarious send-up of Mexican politics featuring "La India Maria"

[goretti-1 · 24 October 2004]

I've recently had the pleasure of catching this India Maria feature on the local Univision affiliate.

Not only does it measure up to the best of her work, but it also updates "The Prince and the Pauper" storyline in a most clever and delightful way.

It is a shame that the only review posted speaks more of the reviewer than the feature film. His/her beef with "La India Maria" seems to be more along the lines of the recent flap over political differences with France than a genuine critique of the actual merits of the film. "Freedom" tacos anyone? Please do give this film a chance if you are lucky enough to find it in your local video store, or on Spanish TV.

I hope a subtitled version comes out some time soon.

Rather weak...

[santes-1 · 1/10 · 28 April 2004]

This is another one of Maria Elena Velasco's starring as "La India Maria" and her clumsy antics. For those of you who have seen her previous works, you will not be surprised as many of the same type of jokes and plots are repeated. The worst part is that, unlike her previous movies, you will fall asleep and will NOT laugh a single time.

It's basically another "Twin-Switch, Prince and the Pauper" with a twist of the "My Fair Lady", but also the "Evil, Greedy Gringo." Let me give you a little introduction: Many years ago, a rich man was campaigning for mayor in a predominantly Native Indian in southern Mexico. During one of his rallies, a pregnant Indian (not Hindu, of course) woman begins to give birth to twin girls, but dies after doing so. Not as a gesture of humanitarianism, the man adopts one of her daughters while the other one is raised by her relatives. The adopted one grows up a very educated and cultured woman who creates her own party centered around Women's Rights. She is now running as mayor of her town and is being successful, but gets into an accident and falls into a coma.

Her campaign strategists and friends are afraid she will have to forfeit the election, but one of them remembers she had a twin sister and try to get her to take her place. Eventually they succeed and win the election.

The scene you will remember the most is when the "Evil, Greedy Gringos", complete with cheesy "Gringo"-accented Spanish, come to town and are trying to transform some Indian ruins and temples into an amusement park, complete with a dancer who looks and dances like Micheal Jackson. What a ridiculous stereotype! No wonder some Mexicans have that attitude against Americans! She as a Nationalistic Mexican, refuses their offer. Ironically, she later quotes one of JFK's famous quotes, but gives no credit. Which one is it? See for yourself.

I turned it off about 20 minutes after the "Gringo" scene as I expected nothing else besides more yawning.