La vida no vale nada

Completed only a few years before the end of his short life, "La Vida No Vale Nada" earned Pedro Infante a Silver Ariel for Mexico's best male performance of 1955. Infante remains the primary reason to see this episodic, somewhat disjointed film. The Mexican star plays Pablo, an illiterate, alcoholic drifter, who has bouts with the bottle and interludes with several women of varying character: a loving widow, a generous professional, his saintly mother, and his father's lusty mistress. While attractive, Infante does not have stereotypical movie-star looks and is convincing as a common man who struggles with existence. Women play a significant role in Pablo's life and offer him redemption, love, and sex, for which he seems to offer little in return. Although he reunites with his mother, he bonds most closely with his beachcomber father, whose destiny he seems fated to follow.

Fortunately, the movie offers opportunities for Infante to sing, and his voice, rich and velvety in tone, provides another reason to see the film. In two scenes, however, the actor sings while he is supposedly intoxicated. Although enjoyable, these sequences are somewhat incredible because his enunciation and notes are perfect despite his inebriation. That a good-looking man with such a rich voice would have to scratch out a living with odd jobs also stretches the plot's believability.

Although others in the cast perform well, the film is Infante's show, and his charm supports its weaker sections. Rogelio Gonzalez's direction is competent, although the transitions from episode to episode at times leave the viewer wondering if scenes were edited out. The IMDb plot outline for this film bears no relation to "La Vida No Vale Nada" and must refer to another film with the same title. Despite its flaws, this often-entertaining film is a showcase for the talents of one of Mexico's greatest stars. Although the movie is not worthy of his talents, "La Vida No Vale Nada" provides a showcase for the dramatic and vocal skills of the great Pedro Infante.