Watch The Gasoline Thieves

The Gasoline Thieves is a Mexican drama film released in 2019. The movie is directed by Edgar Nito and stars Eduardo Banda, Regina Reynoso, and Fernando Becerril. The film revolves around a young boy named Lalo. He lives in a small village near the borders of the United States and Mexico. In the beginning, Lalo is seen as a mischievous youngster who is willing to do anything to impress the girl he likes.

One day, while Lalo is out in the fields, he meets a group of men who are siphoning gasoline from a pipeline that runs through their village. Lalo becomes fascinated with the idea of stealing gasoline since it would make him seem more ‘macho’ in front of the girl he likes. However, as the story progresses, Lalo becomes more involved with the criminal gang, and things start getting out of hand.

As the leader of the gang, Don Elvis, pushes to steal more and more gasoline, the risks get higher, and the possibility of someone getting hurt or killed becomes more significant. Lalo finds himself in the middle of a dangerous and violent game of cat and mouse between the thieves and the police. Meanwhile, the people of the village, who are mostly poor, watch in horror as the gang's actions start to affect their daily lives.

The movie's central theme revolves around the dire consequences of greed and the vicious cycle of poverty that afflicts the marginalized communities. Lalo's character is a perfect depiction of how the poor and marginalized youth are seduced or fall prey to the drug mafia or criminal gangs for money and fame. The filmmaking skills are exceptional as the director succeeds in bringing out the emotions and pain of the community very effectively.

Eduardo Banda, who plays the role of Lalo, has given a commendable performance. He pulls off the character of a naïve boy, who is desperate to rise above his circumstances, and impress his girl admirably. His transformation into a terrified and guilt-ridden young man, who ultimately realizes the gravity of his actions, is heart-wrenching. Regina Reynoso, who plays the role of Lalo's mother, does justice to her character too. She portrays a strong woman who tries to protect her son from falling into the vicious cycle of crime and poverty but is eventually helpless.

The screenplay is tightly written, and the cinematography captures the picturesque beauty of the village starkly contrasted with the poverty that engulfs it. The film's background score perfectly frames the narrative's tension and brings out the emotions of the characters on screen. The only minor downside of the movie is that it loses its grip on the narrative towards the end, and the climax is not as impactful as it could have been. Nevertheless, the film's message conveys the severity of the situation.

Overall, The Gasoline Thieves is a story that depicts social and economic issues through an absorbing, character-driven narrative. The movie sheds light on the perils of organized crime and the seduction of money for the youth in impoverished communities. The film's relatable and realistic portrayal of the characters and the consequences of their actions make it an excellent watch.

The Gasoline Thieves is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.