La Zona

Directed by Rodrigo Plá, La Zona is a slow-moving drama revolving around a cover-up that ensues within an exclusive gated community after three thieves break in during a power outage. There’s never a point at which La Zona becomes anything more than an exercise in tedium, as Plá has infused the proceedings with a distinctly less-than-subtle sensibility that proves disastrous. Plá’s efforts at satirizing the class struggle within Mexico fall entirely flat, and there’s little doubt that his heavy-handed tactics ultimately negate all of the film’s few positive attributes (including some sporadically compelling visuals). The almost total lack of compelling characters surely doesn’t help matters, although, admittedly, the film does possess a number of effective performances (Daniel Tovar, playing a key resident of the mini-society, is a stand-out). And given that the community is painted as such a restrictive and oppressive place, one can’t help but wonder just what kind of person would willingly choose to live there.

*1/2 out of ****