Tear This Heart Out

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Tear This Heart Out
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Roberto Sneider
Written by	Roberto Sneider Ángeles Mastretta
Starring	Ana Claudia Talancón Daniel Giménez Cacho José María de Tavira
Cinematography	Javier Aguirresarobe
Release date	September 12, 2008 (2008-09-12)
Running time	107 minutes
Country	Mexico
Language	Spanish

Tear This Heart Out (Spanish: Arráncame la vida) is a 2008 Mexican romantic historical drama film directed by Roberto Sneider based on the novel of the same name by Ángeles Mastretta. It was Mexico's official submission for the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Plot

The film takes place over the span of several years within the 1930s in Mexico, focusing on the life of Catalina "Catín" Guzmán (

The couple's movements between Andrés's city home in Puebla and hacienda mark idyllic times for Catalina; riding in the lands surrounding the hacienda, taking cooking classes, enjoying a rich lifestyle and having frequent sex is what Catalina knows. Despite showing concern over certain issues, such as her husband's plans to flood a valley for an electric dam (thus forcing the relocation of hundreds of impoverished farmers and villagers in the area) and his shady dealings with a neighbour, an American expatriate named Mike Heiss, his constant rebukes of her intrusions in his business as a "busybody woman" keep her from forcing the issue, though these stay clearly in her consciousness. His arrest due to accusations of murder give her a taste of the true volatility and uncertainty of being a political wife, despite his release a few days later. Shortly after she discovers that she is pregnant, yet her joy is dampened significantly when she sees him embracing another woman, her first glimpse of his many infidelities. He dismisses her angry chastisement of his actions and she briefly takes on a childhood friend as a lover to alleviate her loneliness, as Andrés spends less time with her during her pregnancy. Years pass and another baby is born to them.

Andrés brings two children of his own—including a daughter who is 12, only seven years younger than Catalina—to live with them, explaining that they are the product of the union between him and his first wife, a saintly woman who died of typhus during the Revolution (Catín comments that their actual mother was alive and well, living in Veracruz). She believes him and gets along well with the children. At the same time Andrés announces his postulation as Governor of Puebla, a move enthusiastically supported by his family, who accompany him on extensive campaigning trips and witness several speeches to the poorer constituents of the state, promising progress and an improved state.

Cast

• Ana Claudia Talancón - Catalina Guzmán, the young wife of Andrés Ascencio.
• Daniel Giménez Cacho - Andres Ascencio, a philandering, corrupt and populistic politician.
• José María de Tavira - Carlos Vives, the idealistic director of an orchestra.
• Mariana Peñalva - Mercedes
• Irene Azuela - Bárbara
• Delia Casanova - Julia
• Julio Bracho - Cienfuegos
• Danna Paola - Lilia Ascencio - Age 12
• María Aura - Pepa

Background

According to the translator of the English edition,

The character Mike Heiss, who appears early in the film, was based on William O. Jenkins.

Production

This movie, with a budget of over $6,000,000, was at the time of its production the most expensive ever made in Mexico. It was the official submission of Mexico to the Foreign Language category of the 2009 Academy Awards competition.

References