Midaq Alley (1995)

In the vibrant heart of Mexico City, nestled within a bustling locale known as El Callejon de los Milagros, or the Alley of Miracles, resides an ensemble of lives, as richly intertwined as the threads of an intricate tapestry. This vibrant adaptation of Naguib Mahfouz's Nobel Prize-winning novel transplants the story from Cairo to Mexico, weaving a complex narrative of hopes, dreams, and desires that converge within the lively cantina owned by Don Ru (Gomez Cruz). Don Ru, a man in his fifties, has grown weary of his longstanding marriage to Eusebia (Casanova), finding himself drawn towards a newfound affection. This unexpected romance is not with a young woman, but a young clerk, Soberanes, a development that stirs up a whirlwind of emotions, particularly for his son, Chava (Bernal). Struggling with his father's unconventional love, Chava flees to the USA with his friend Abel (Bichir), who harbors a deep affection for the enchanting Alma (Hayek), daughter of tarot reader Dona Cata (Rojo), a woman marked by an unfortunate streak in love. Alma, a radiant beauty and the object of Abel's dreams, descends into the world of high-end prostitution during Abel's absence. Meanwhile, the cantina sees its share of drama with Guicho (Tovar), the cynical employee who pilfers money in Don Ru's absence and eventually marries Susanita (Sanz), the homely landlady yearning for love. Among these intertwining narratives are the tales of Maru (Scanda), Don Fidel (Obregon), Dona Flor (Morett), Zacarias (Woolrich), and the malevolent Jose Luis (Gimenez Cacho), each contributing to the vibrant mosaic of lives in Midaq Alley. This captivating portrayal of human resilience, love, and dreams amidst a backdrop of everyday struggles won the Ariel, the Mexican equivalent of an Oscar, as the best movie in 1995.

Midaq Alley is a drama movie featuring Ernesto Gómez Cruz and directed by Jorge Fons.

Midaq Alley is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Kanopy, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and VIX and it's also available on Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy Midaq Alley on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.