Cinequest brings international films to San Jose: 'Euforia'

By Saurabh Muzumdar

'Euforia'

There is nothing euphoric about "Euforia," a Spanish-language film which can be best described as a bad cocktail -- one that tastes bad to start with and doesn't get better as you continue sipping.

The story revolves around the lead singer of a washed-up band going on a pointless road trip with a girl he met the day before.

The singer's name is Pat -- an odd choice for a Mexican name, but a reflection of his Irish and Mexican heritage.

Such tangents are exactly what this movie runs on.

"Euforia" appeals to neither the indie movie lover nor the avid cinema buff.

According to the description on the Cinequest Web site of this film, which makes its world premiere at the festival, "Stuck in a dream state of the 1960s, Pat struggles to see life outside the limelight that once blanketed him." Still, I have no pity for him.

The film's slogan: "Jim Morrison was the Lizard King, Pat Corcoran was the Chameleon."

It's a film wrought with mediocre acting, and it completely lacks an interesting screenplay.

Lines like, "I'd rather be a poet than write poetry," and "I'm a better person in my dreams," sound profound, but the romantics that blessed us with these lines of great meaning would be at a loss to describe the need for them in this film.

Director Alfonso Corona cannot even focus on what direction he wants his film to go in.

Instead, the audience gets a brouhaha of drugs, rock 'n' roll, love and some other ingredients that have formed the premise of many successful movies.

Corona even manages to botch up the sex scene, in which one of the characters lets out what can be best described as a turtle cry, rendering what should have been a tender moment into one of brief hilarity.

Filmmaking is not easy, and this director's effort should be applauded.

But, this movie may not even make it to DVD.

Contact Saurabh Muzumdar at smuzumdar@scu.edu.