When her daughter, Laura (Denisse Azpilcueta) is kidnapped, and the authorities in Northern Mexico express to her that they have no intention of helping, Cielo (Arciela Ramírez) must take matters into her own hands. The kidnappers want money, money that Cielo doesn’t have–and it’s beginning to look worse and worse for Cielo and Laura. With time running out, La Civil must become something new, now on a journey of revenge.
The world often hears about the Mexican Cartel and their wicked ways. We hear about them on the news, online, and in popular films and television series–and in a lot of ways the things we see and hear glorifies what is actually happening. It’s no secret the things they do are horrific, and it’s not that the media is trying to portray them in a soft, affectionate light–but the reality is that the chaos that often surrounds them is appealing to many. While La Civil captures these realities in some similar ways to what we’ve often seen, it does something different as well. What could have very easily been a film that focused heavily on the cartel, it is something far more relatable and accessible to the mainstream viewer.
Cielo is a mother bound by her duty to protect her daughter–regardless of what that means. The things depicted on screen are harrowing, but La Civil is ultimately a drama that focuses on family and that tells the story of a love between a mother and daughter. The emotion present throughout the course of La Civil is what will likely attract viewers, and it’s what caused me to stick around.
That emotion, and the story as a whole, doesn’t exist without Ramírez. She’s powerful, honest, and her ability to capture emotion in the best possible ways resonates with viewers. It doesn’t matter if the concept of the film is foreign to you, Ramírez is so fine tuned in her craft that she brings every second of La Civil to life with ferocity and passion. Rarely is there a scene in which Ramírez isn’t present, and she’s often showcased in a way that makes her the center of attention–ultimately placing the success of La Civil on her shoulders. She never winces, never shows vulnerability in knowing that she’s in charge–she, time and time again throughout the film, rises to the occasion and delivers a heartfelt performance.
I’m not sure it’s possible to tell a story involving the cartel that doesn’t, at least to some degree, become violent. Violence is an important part of La Civil, but everything that’s done throughout is presented to viewers tactfully. Sure, there are moments of graphic violence shown on screen–but nothing feels out of place, nothing feels overwhelming, and each and every aspect of this piece of the puzzle fits nicely into the narrative.
Along with everything I’ve already mentioned, sound plays such a pivotal role in how viewers receive the film. To be able to capture emotion in a genuine fashion, or to be able to incorporate violence in the film effectively, the sound must be developed in a way that reaches viewers and feels authentic. La Civil creates beautiful sound, capturing every single moment of the film with grace and authenticity–reeling viewers further in and keeping them engaged throughout.
La Civil feels long–well…it is long. There are moments when I questioned whether or not more than two hours was necessary, and while I eventually came to the conclusion that it’s not essential to the film, it doesn’t overwhelm or drag on so long as to become offputting. I believe that Director Teodora Mihai finds the appropriate length for La Civil–including everything that’s needed to tell the story and never going overboard including nonessentials and other gratuitous information.
La Civil is a wonderfully developed film that captures honest emotion from the opening seconds of the film. Ramírez is the primary reason why the film is so successful, why it reaches audiences, and why viewers will likely choose to stick around. Writing, directing, acting, and more play out incredibly well–and the sound allows every other decision and performance to shine throughout La Civil. The film can be cumbersome if you’re looking for something a little more concise–but the finished product is worth the time it takes to watch. This film about a mother’s love will resonate with viewers everywhere, and more than likely it will warrant more than one viewing.
Directed by Teodora Mihai.
Written by Habacuc Antonio De Rosario & Teodora Mihai.
Starring Arcelia Ramírez, Álvaro Guerrero, Ayelén Muzo, Jorge A. Jiménez, Daniel García, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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