LA HORA DE LOS VALIENTES/ A TIME FOR BRAVERY

Luis Gerard Mendez, Memo Villegas, Christian Tappan. Veronica Bravo, Noe Hernandez.

Directed by Ariel Winograd.

Mexico, 2025, 107 minutes, Colour.

Oddball, odd couple action comedies are generally a matter of taste, depending on the writing and execution of farcical situations and, especially, how engaging the audience finds the two members of the odd couple, and how they work together/or not, the humour they provide for the audience.

This review is to declare that this reviewer very much enjoyed A Time for Bravery. It does not go in entirely predictable ways.

While the initial focus is on Diaz, the detective, liked by all his comrades, supported by his superior, but their all upset at his being upset at his wife leaving, unfaithful to him (though, he is able to admit that he had not been faithful entirely but, for him, that was a different matter).

An appeal is made that somebody accompany Diaz at his work, suggesting a therapist who has had an unfortunate accident and is on community service. He is Dr Silverstein, an emphasis on his Jewish background and perspectives, married, his wife puzzling about his activities. And he is played by Lewis Gerard Mendez, top Mexican comedian who has also appeared in a number of Hollywood films.

There are criminals, stealing uranium, gun violence, the revelation that the big Chief is the main criminal, Diaz and Dr Silverstein working together, the detective taken and tortured and interrogated – and, Dr Silverstein to the rescue, discovering his forcefulness, stranded on the ledge of a tall skyscraper… And so on (and some suspecting that he is a cover international agent in disguise).

Not meant to be an accurate documentary – but enjoyable farcical comedy.

1. An odd couple comedy? An unlikely buddy comedy?
2. The title, expectations, realism and spoof?
3. The Mexican setting, the opening with the stealing of the uranium, the confrontation with the intelligence chief, the killings (and his eating)? The setting up of the investigation?
4. The situation with the Commissioner, rather obtuse, his men, their pleading for Diaz to have a job, the comic touches in the presentation of the police force?
5. Dr Silverstein, at home, his wife, tensions, his being busy, the accident, the woman under the car, and hurt, his being arrested, community service?
6. The discussions about Diaz, the suggestion about a counsellor, Dr Silverstein, the Commissioner agreeing, his being invited to the office, his reluctance, Diaz’ arrival, the clash with his wife, his previous infidelities, not confessing, his beginning to weep, Dr Silverstein intervening, and the agreement that he go and accompanying Diaz? Counselling in the car, the dangerous driving?
7. The investigation, the two men murdered and the disappearance, the interrogations, information, the connections? Chuck and his giving information? The man stealing the truck, the arrests, the interrogator and his official status, the response of Diaz and Dr Silverstein?
8. The complications, on the serious level, arrests, interrogations, torture? Security surveillance and the attack on Silverstein and his house? Dr Silverstein and Diaz coming to the meal, his suggestion that Dr Silverstein’s wife was unfaithful? And the truth? His upset?
9. The situation at home, his return, his wife being upset, the gun, the security man, his attack in the house, Dr Silverstein punching him out, to his surprise, his wife with the gun, tying him up in the bath, her shooting the gun? Putting the security man in the boot of the car?
10. Diaz, interrogation, no information? The revelation that the archvillain was head of National intelligence? And eating again? The torture, Callis?
11. The plan, the transport of uranium, to the works, setting up the situation?
12. Dr Silverstein, using his wits, the car to get into the centre, asking for the toilet, the toilet paper, the cleaner and the information, the elevator, hiding, on the window ledge, the dangers, his fears, the birds, window, with the head of intelligence, inviting him in, overpowering him?
13. The head, losing Dr Silverstein, overpowering him, the phone call to the security man in the boot of the car?
14. The Commissioner, refusing to believe the evidence, ordering the arrest of Dr Silverstein, his getting way, the police following up, changing the building, confrontations, shootouts, the escape, the helicopter and the discussions about flying, going to the plate? The confrontations of the plant, the shootouts?
15. The resolution of the situation, Diaz free, wondering whether Dr Silverstein is actually an agent or a spy, the offer from the agency and recruiting?
16. Dr Silverstein in the comedy, the touch of a nerd, the touch of heroism, and a comic hero?