Deep Crimson [Profundo carmesí] *** (1996, Regina Orozco, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Marisa Paredes, Rosa Furman, Sherlyn González) – Classic Movie Review 9983

Beware director Arturo Ripstein’s fascinating, dark and gruesome 1996 black comedy thriller Deep Crimson [Profundo carmesí] about the balding gigolo Nicolas Estrella (Daniel Giménez Cacho) and the overweight nurse Coral Fabre (opera singer Regina Orozco) who meet through a lonelyhearts ad in late-1940s Mexico and set off on a killing spree, luring widows to their deaths.

It is based on the same true tale of deranged love as the 1970 cult favourite The Honeymoon Killers, the story of the so-called Lonelyhearts Murders by multiple murderers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, who were executed in the electric chair in Sing-Sing in 1951.

Ripstein wants you to beware too – about the dangers of romantic passion, which he says is the theme of his film.

It is shot in Mexico and made in Spanish.

Also in the cast are Maria Paredes, Giovanni Florido, Verônica Merchant, Julieta Egurrola, Rosa Furman, René Pereyra, Alejandra Montoya, Sherlyn González, Fernando Palavicini and Patricia Reyes Spindola.

The writer is Paz Alicia Garciadiego.

Ripstein worked as an assistant for Luis Buñuel, beginning his career as Buñuel’s assistant director on El Ángel Exterminador (1962).

Deep Crimson [Profundo carmesí] is directed by Arturo Ripstein, runs 110 minutes, is made by CONACULTA, Ivania, Traversiere, MK2, Wanda and IMCINE, is released by Metro Tartan (UK), is written by Paz Alicia Garciadiego, is shot by Guillermo Granillo (Eastmancolor), is produced by Miguel Necoechea and Marin Karmitz and is scored by David Mansfield.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9983

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