Film Pick of the Week: Cassandro - review by Yvette Huddleston

In lucha libre there is a tradition of ‘exóticos’ – male fighters who compete in drag, but, given the macho nature of the competition, they are never allowed to win. That fact is what initially prevents the ambitious Armendáriz from taking on that mantle – he competes instead as masked wrestler El Topo, but since he is slightly built when he is cast in the carefully choreographed fights, he is always a ‘runt’ which requires him to lose against supersized opponents such as the mighty Gigántico.

Armendáriz lives with his beloved, supportive, mother Yocasta (Perla De La Rosa) in El Paso in Texas, helping her with her washing, mending and ironing business, and working part time at a car wash while trying to make it on the wrestling circuit across the border in Mexico. He is also conducting a clandestine relationship with a fellow, closeted, wrestler who is married with young children and who Saúl can only see when his wife is out of town.

Saúl’s wrestling career is a little stalled and then he meets former female wrester Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez) who sees some potential in him and agrees to be his trainer. It is she who suggests that he fights as an exótico. After initial resistance he embraces the idea, fashions an outfit from one of his mother’s old dresses, takes off the mask, puts on some make-up and creates the gloriously camp character of Cassandro.

He is nervous about his first appearance in the ring but soon the crowds are taking Cassandro to their hearts. He is approached by a promoter who starts setting up bookings for him, including a high-profile fight against El Hijo del Santo, son of wrestling legend El Santo, and he is soon making a name for himself. Along the way he confronts his complicated relationship with his estranged father who rejected him after he came out when he was a teenager.

Gael García Bernal is outstanding in the lead role, it is a sensitive, thoughtful performance with a portrayal of Armendáriz that combines charisma and vulnerability. The film is above all a heartwarming celebration of having the courage to be completely oneself and it movingly acknowledges the part played in his success by the unswerving support and unconditional love of his mother.