Cassandro: Film Review
I’ve been hearing positive things about Cassandro since its premiere at Sundance way back in January. And the acclaim is warranted because this feel-good biopic is delightful.
Directed by Roger Ross Williams in his narrative feature debut, Cassandro tells the true story of wrestler Saul Armendariz (Gael Garcia Bernal). Raised in El Paso, Texas, Saul drives over the border to Ciudad Juarez in Mexico to play as a luchador named El Topo in amateur Lucha Libre matches. However, he feels like the character isn’t for him and approaches coach Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez) about a new professional identity. He becomes an exotico – a campy, feminine wrestler dressed in drag – named Cassandro and finds stardom.
This biographical drama, set in the 1980s, shines a light on the man who changed the image of exoticos and helped the LGBTQ+ community be accepted – and even championed – in Lucha Libre. Before Cassandro came along, exoticos were gimmicks often played by straight men and were always heckled, called derogatory names and lost their matches. But Cassandro is different – he fearlessly leans into his homosexuality in the ring. He uses gay caricatures within his performance to make the luchadors uncomfortable and camps it up for entertainment value.
It’s easy to see why he wins the crowd over – Cassandro is OTT and flamboyant and you can’t help but warm to him. His performances are electric and so much fun. The matches are the crowning jewel of the film – it’s an absolute joy to watch Bernal perform as the endearing Cassandro and you can’t take your eye off him. It helps that he wears sensational costumes, sports loud and bold hair and make-up in the ring and picks awesome music for his matches.
Cassandro gives Saul the space to be embraced or accepted for his sexuality and this confidence seeps into his everyday life. He’s out and very much accepted by his mother Yocasta (Perla De La Rosa) but he’s in a relationship with a closeted man and is estranged from his father. Cassandro helps Saul find himself and discover who he has always meant to be in the real world.
While the wrestling scenes are easily the highlight of the film, I would have happily spent more time with his home life too, particularly his wonderful relationship with his mum. In fact, I felt disappointed when it ended because I could have watched some more.
Cassandro is one of Bernal’s best-ever performances. Make sure you check out this feel-good biopic.
On Prime Video from Friday 22nd September