Over the years there have been several films about wrestling, the one that comes to mind for me is The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke. There have also been a lot of documentaries about wrestlers like The Dark Side of the Ring which deals with three ex-professional wrestlers and their Demons in and out of the Ring. A few years back Florence Pugh starred in Fighting With My Family which was about British female wrestler Saraya aka Paige in the WWE. Cassandro starring Gael Garcia Bernal is about a different style of wrestling from Mexico called lucha libre.

Saul Armendariz (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a man who lives and works with his mother doing laundry in El Paso, Texas. In his spare time, he wrestles as El Topo, a runt as he’s referred to in wrestling circles. He wants more than to go out every week and lose to Gigantico, a much bigger man than he is. While visiting a wrestling school he befriends the trainer who goes by Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez) but her wrestling name is Lady Anarquia. She offers to help train this man and to help him become who he wants to be in the wrestling ring.

Lucha Libre is a fast-paced style of wrestling Mexicans have perfected and made their own. This story reflects that style and world perfectly. As a gay man, the main character has to navigate his sexuality and a wrestling world that doesn’t want him to be a part of it. Due to his dogged determination, he overcomes all odds as his character Cassandrao, the exotico, becomes a hit among fans and other wrestlers and promoters in Mexico. He uses his sexuality to become this character. And he has a great time while he’s doing it.

The main character of the film is played great by Garcia Betnal but he is surrounded by a stellar cast of supporting characters. Including Raul Castillo as Gerardo/El Commandante a man the main character has a romantic relationship with, Bad Bunny as Felipe a promoter who helps get the main character noticed in wrestling circles and Joaquin Cosio another promoter who befriends and helps the main character in his career.

With this being a wrestling film the wrestling has to be a key element in it and it is. It’s just not as good as other wrestling films. This is entertainment and so with that comes a suspension of disbelief. The wrestling is a bit campy and plays to the audience in the crowd, not so much the one watching at home. Which is where this film will be seen. On Prime Video this week. It’s fine though because it’s who this character is and what the writer/director Roger Ross Williams and David Teague are going for.

The technical aspects of the film are interesting because there is a muted look to the movie to show the place where the film is taking place. The muted colors add to the locations perfectly. This is a period piece from what I can tell and the look matches the time period very nicely. Along with the muted cinematography, there is a score that brings out a style as well. The score fits nicely with the whole vibe of the movie. Through a few popular hits from the soundtrack “I Will Survive” and “Fever” you can see what the filmmakers were going for with Cassandro.

Cassandro is an interesting look at the world of lucha libre wrestling. This world is much different that the one we see each and every night of the week on our television sets. It’s no WWE Entertainment but there are elements of it in the main character Cassandro. He is flamboyant and colorful which is part of his real personality.  The subplot of his sexuality is a nice touch and the supporting cast bring an authenticity to the film. This isn’t going to blow audiences away but it is a solid little indie film with a standout performance from Garcia Betnal.

3 ½ stars

Dan Skip Allen