Under the Volcano (1984)

In the haunting shadow of Popocatépetl, Cuernavaca, Mexico, exists as a stark canvas for the unfolding drama in Under the Volcano. As the Day of the Dead dawns on November 1, 1938, we dive into the tumultuous life of Geoffrey Firmin, the recently resigned British Consul to Mexico. Amidst the impending chaos of the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Nazism, Firmin seeks refuge in the deceptive comfort of alcohol, a loyal companion against the world's escalating tensions and his personal turmoil. His life, a reflection of a crumbling civilization, is a maze of self-destruction and despair, an enigma to his idealistic half-brother, Hugh. Having abandoned the Spanish war front, Hugh has journeyed to Mexico, determined to salvage his brother from the grip of alcoholism and restore his former vitality. The narrative takes an unexpected turn with the sudden return of Yvonne, Geoffrey's ex-wife, an actress whose fame couldn't eclipse the heartbreak of their failed marriage. Her letters, filled with silent pleas and unspoken intentions, have found no response in Geoffrey's hardened heart. Yet, she ventures back to Cuernavaca, ignited by a flicker of hope to mend their shattered relationship and heal Geoffrey's festering wounds. However, the task is far from easy, as Geoffrey's downward spiral threatens to consume them all. The intricate dance of rekindling lost love and battling inner demons is set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of war and the eerie celebrations of the Mexican fiesta Day of Death. Under the Volcano takes you on a captivating journey through a single day in Firmin's life, a raw exploration of a man wrestling with his past and the world's impending chaos.

Under the Volcano is a drama movie featuring Albert Finney.

Under the Volcano is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and Max Amazon Channel.