This is a very moving show about a family that runs an "ambulancia pirata"-- an unofficial ambulance -- in Mexico City. There aren't nearly enough of the government-funded official ambulances to service this enormous city of 22 million people. The main characters are a father, daughter and two sons who together operate the ambulance as the family business night after night. They are strong, resourceful and indefatigable. The obstacles they are forced to overcome make me question my own mettle. The cast is great. Veteran actor Joaquín Cosio as the father. Diego Calva as the eldest son. Renata Vaca is the daughter -- who is trying to ride the ambulance at night and attend medical school during the day -- and despite two reviews, I think her performance stands up to those of her co-stars. Finally, Sergio Bautista deftly plays the youngest a boy of perhaps twelve years old. Together they make an authentic family. This show has tremendous heart. One reviewer, who I will comment upon below, trashes the show as soapy, and there is a grain of truth to that -- but just a grain. I suspect that the filmmakers have worked on telenovelas and there are traces of that style -- but just traces -- and they make the show more interesting not less, because while the show appears to emerge from that tradition, the repurpose it to make a very novel drama. It's also a vivid portrait of Mexico City. If you've ever been there, you will feel you are there again. If you haven't you'll know what it's like.
Watch it in its original Spanish with subtitles. A lot is lost in the dubbed version, which is Apple's default. Why Apple? You will have to change the language of both the audio and subtitles (lower right on Apple's player)
Now to review the other reviewers. One pans the show because the hour-long episodes are "too long." They are around an hour long (though some are shorter), but that's the industry standard. They are intense. Can the reviewer not stand the heat? If you don't have the depth to understand something, maybe you shouldn't write a review.
Another panned it as soapy and low-budget. I've already commented on "soapy." This reviewer claims that the injured people in the earthquake episode look as though they'd been slathered with ketchup. Well, not to me. He also complained that there were no "grievous amputation injuries." There was a very grisly compound fracture. But seriously, who watches a show and complains that there aren't enough amputations? I'm going to recommend that this reviewer see a therapist.
Bottom line give this show a chance. You'll be rewarded.
