“DÉFICIT” (2007)

Starring: Gael García Bernal, Fernanda Castillo, Luz Cipriota, Dagoberto Gama, Tenoch Huerta, Juan Pablo Medina, Jorge Luis Moreno, Pamela Reiter, Ana Serradilla, Camila Sodi & Giovanna Zacarías
Written by Kyzza Terrazas
Directed by Gael García Bernal

Polly Staffle Rating: ***

A deficit happens when there is a lack of something. The “Déficit” being referred to in Gael García Bernal’s directorial debut isn’t money; it’s a deficit of morals, direction, love, empathy, respect and unselfishness. The film takes place in Mexico and is in Spanish with English subtitles, but what the thought-provoking movie presents is a deficit that is rapidly infecting nations all across the world in seemingly higher numbers than every before in history.

“Déficit,” which was based on the television project “Ruta 32,” is not a plot driven film. It isn’t really character driven either. It has been compared to the Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh film “The Anniversary Party,” but I personally think the similarities between the two party films stops abruptly with the drug-induced long day’s journey into night vehicle they both use. “Déficit” to me was more reminiscent of Larry Clark’s “Kids.” Both are message films that are mostly fun and voyeuristic about aimless youths. The movies also climax with explosive finales. “Déficit” isn’t quite the kick to the gut “Kids” was, but it does leave you reflecting on how you live your own life and the way you treat others.

Gael García Bernal (“The King,” “The Motorcycle Diaries,” “Babel”) plays Cristobal, a hip hop-loving spoiled twenty-something that is throwing a house party at his rich mom and dad’s weekend house. Dad is some type of corrupt official. We are never told fully what he does or to who. But we see that he doesn’t really care about anyone, but himself and that has rubbed off on his children. Dad wants his son to go to Harvard. Not because he wants his son to be successful necessarily. It’s the school dad attended, so it’s essentially Cristobal’s only option. Cristobal doesn’t care about school. What’s he need school for? He can just spend dad’s money.

And dad’s money has really gone to Cristobal’s head in a bad way. Cristobal acts as though he is some sort of rock star. He has this “get out of my way, I’m coming through” mentality. He doesn’t open doors, they must be opened for him. He is a smoozer that sees himself as untouchable as Eliot Ness. He feels he can talk his way through any situation. And when things don’t go his way, he throws a fit.

When Cristobal arrives at the house, he finds his younger sister Elisa (Camila Sodi) there partying already. This sends him into a tantrum. He doesn’t like his sister’s friends, he doesn’t like the music they are blaring, etc., etc. He sees himself as above them. They’re stupid and childish. They’re loser burnouts. Cristobal and Elisa have this weird relationship. Just about everyone knows a set of siblings like them. There isn’t really any love between them, but there’s lots and lots of jealousy. It’s like they try to embarrass each other in front of others, but just end up making themselves looking like snotty little brats.

Also at the house, is a family that works as the ground’s keepers. The husband and wife have not been paid in weeks as mom and dad have been away, possibly in Europe on the lam. The workers have no other place to go and have shelter and food where they are, so they attend to all that needs attended to on the property with their little daughter. Of course, their upkeep isn’t up to Cristobal’s standards. When he gets there, he finds the commode in his bathroom is not flushing and a hissy fit ensues. The gardener Adan (Tenoch Huerta Mejia), who is the same age as Cristobal, is also lurking around the property, scooping out anything that is female. Though Cristobal grew up with Adan, ill feelings separate them. It appears the wall between the two is all about social status.

Oddly, Cristobal and Elisa’s friends all have the same negative view towards the hired help. It’s as if they look down on the workers simply because they have less money. In the eyes of all the partiers, the workers’ dependency on Cristobal’s family in order to survive makes them scum of the Earth even though they are pulling their own weight around the house.

During the party, the workers clean the pool and also appear out of nowhere to pick up a smashed window. Even still, they are not perfect themselves. There are weird relationships amongst them and when one of the workers drives to the story to buy beer to get drunk, he bad mouths the old men that are drinking in front of the store, calling them bums.

Cristobal’s girlfriend Mafer (Ana Serradilla) is en route to the party. When Cristobal meets Argentinean Dolores (Luz Cipriota), he wishes he hadn’t invited Mafer. Christobal is instantly smitten with Dolores, so he decides to give Mafer false information about how to get to the house. When Adan and Dolores seem to hit it off, Cristobal’s need to bed Dolores becomes even greater.

While all these different relationships are at work, the party rages on. Barbecue, drinking, soccer, swimming, dancing, drugs and then some passes the time as day turns to night. Just as Cristobal thinks he is close to seducing Dolores, all hell breaks loose.

Elisa starts wigging out and then passes out. She seems to be overdosing and should be rushed to the hospital. Cristobal and Dolores carry Elisa to his room and lay her on his bed.
Then Mafer shows up. She scalds Cristobal. Smacks him and leaves. He begins to cry. Is Cristobal having remorse on how he has treated his sister, his girlfriend or anyone else during the day? No not at all. He is crying tears for himself. Oh, poor Cristobal; his dad wants to send him to Harvard, but he doesn’t want to go and he can’t get in even if he did. Oh poor Cristobal; getting Delores to sleep with him hasn’t been as easy as he hoped. Oh poor Cristobal; he dropped his cell phone in the pool. Oh poor Cristobal; he has just been told off by his girlfriend in front of his peers. Give me a freaking break.

The party has been ruined. Everybody leaves the house, including Dolores. Cristobal is left behind with his unconscious sister. He stares out the window. He’s alone, yet, has no clue why. His sister could very well be dying, but he has his own hurt he has to deal with. He’s empty. He’s sad. He has no cake (Mafer) and didn’t even get to eat one (Dolores). He has no love in his life. He is completely void of any meaningful human connection. Fade to black.

Already proven as an actor, this is a fine first-time feature from Gael García Bernal the director. Sure, “Déficit,” screened at the 10th Annual CineVegas Film Festival as one of their “La Próxima Ola” entries highlighting Mexican filmmakers, is an odd sort of movie as nothing physically actually transpires of importance and the lead character is completely unworthy of any sympathy. But what Gael García Bernal offers is a study of social classes and a wakeup call for those that treat others the way Cristobal does. At times, Cristobal might seem to be riding high and living a happy life. At the end of the day, however, we see it is all a sham. Embarrassed and ashamed of his actions, we as viewers hope that he’ll connect the dots. Hopefully the same mental awakening happens for some that watch this film as well.

- CCF, June 2008