User Reviews

I picked up this movie as a simple pass time without any real expectations, and was pleasantly surprised at the good production quality, nice directing and a somewhat sophisticated storytelling.

Of the cast, Patrick Warburton was the most recognizable, with usual excellent performance. Other cast actors do quite a great job.

The film is both a critique of the old conceptions of masculinity and chivalry, detailing how the relationship between two friends who were "as close as brothers" is destroyed by the infidelity of Woody's girlfriend.

The ending may not satisfy all viewers, as it fails to provide a successful conclusion for the movie's discussion, instead leaving the viewer to draw their own conclusions.

The story starts with the main rivals, Woody and Colin being counselled separately by very concerned Kevin and Sam, the other two guys in the friend group. As both rivals speed towards a duel as per Woody's idea, facilitated by an aging antiques dealer, we learn that Woody burned Colin's surfboard, a prized possession made by his father while on deaths door due to cancer. With both parties now having committed unforgivable deeds, the four, and the antique dealer played by Warburton is smuggled across the border on an underground river by a drug dealer to an estate of a man who's supposedly a cartel boss, per the suggestion of a drug dealer who comes across the two seconds Sam and Kevin looking for a suitable place for the duel.

We don't get to see. Abbie the philandering girlfriend until the last segments of the movie, which in my opinion a fantastic decision. Abbie, who was drugged and smuggled across the border, correctly identifies that the duel is both stupid and wasteful but in trying to put a stop to the matters repeatedly confesses her love to Woody in front of Colin, who believes himself to be in love with Abbie, after 3 months of the adulterous relationship.

Later, we see Abby begging Woody through a closed bedroom door, to stop the duel and marry her, as supposedly she figured out what she needed after cheating on him.

As the story comes to a close we realize that Abbie's love is as shallow as the sentiments of masculinity that inspires the duel, and we see Abbie leaving the dueling grounds after declaring that she would remember them both not as brave men but as immature boys, moments before Woody and Colin fall at each other's guns .

This film has been occupying my thoughts. A modern day duel? Why? It's such a waste of lives right? But wait... hear me out.

A little backstory on what's "my jam". I am a fan of silly surreal films. Wes Anderson stories and I are very compatible. While not nearly as over the top as an Anderson film, this movie still has a measure of isolated suspended reality that allows room to ask an existential question in a makeshift societal vacuum. I am a huge fan of that sort of storytelling. Think of it as you would a science fiction story. No one intervenes because they are in a space ship hurtling through the cosmos. It's just them. I advise you to let yourself accept this premise and enjoy the rest of the "what if?".

Also... it may not be Mexico... the characters aren't convinced either. It doesn't bother me.

Yes, this movie has silly moments. Yes, some of the characters are caricatures. It's intentional and I'm ok with it.

I was actually hoping for it. If Warburton wasn't giving us squinty eyed raised brow exaggerated hard tuned bass toned moments... I'd be very disappointed. I love it. I want it. I expect it.

What I didn't expect was the story. My brain kept trying to figure out where this was all going. I was looking for the moment when it would all be forgiven and resolved. Then it just kept getting darker... and darker.

Then... a pig. After that scene I realized the story tellers were quite serious and this ride was not going to detour.

So what's the question in a vacuum? It's a simple one.

What does anything mean when we exist in a society where everything we do... good and bad... is just "a thing"?

Some actions and reactions are not ok and a slap on the wrist or a broken friendship we mourn the loss of, is not enough.

The new and very old idea that you shouldn't be able to swashbuckle through life with no consequences, or hurt people without ramifications, is a premise that has been done many times before, but not quite like this.

Side note: I am not advocating actual dueling.

The initial infidelity offense in this story is so common in our world. The retaliation stroke of a broken heart is brutal. There are countless movies and stories of offense and retaliation. Usually a blood filled massacre and lifelong mission with explosive endings. Literally and figuratively. Marvel anyone? A whole mega franchise built on offense and retaliation... wait... I mean "origin stories" and we love them.

This story explores quieter slow simmering anger. What constitutes an unforgivable act? How small? How big? Where's the line? Is there a civilized way to say "You crossed a line and now I'm going to kill you."?

In short? I loved this film. I will watch it again. I will show it to people. I will engage in the purposeful conversations it will inevitably induce.

Offense. Retaliation. Challenge. Acceptance.

Resolve.

"Something must be done."

Best experience I have yet. I was able to see my childhood crush act again it was like I was a kid again. Thank you for letting me to expirence this was a once time opportunity that I thought I never got a chance to it. I hope to get a chance to do again ans actually get a picture. You guys did great putting everything together. You guys look great and sounded great to. You all work so hard that paid off so proud of everyone work. Thank you for letting Indiana University of East Honors program join this experience because of it I was able to go to the event. I had so much fun that I can remember of happening.