Time: 90 Minutes
Age Rating: PG
Cast:
Ninón Sevilla as Violeta
Tito Junco as Santiago
Rodolfo Acosta as Rodolfo
Rita Montaner as Rita
Director: Emilio Fernández

I went into Victims of Sin through my local film society not knowing much about it, just that it was a black and white film from the 1950s. I actually liked this far more than I was expecting to.

Victims of Sin is a solid melodrama that does a lot within 90 minutes, and I think it particularly lands its third act and ending. It is hard hitting and dark with its crime plotline but there’s also glimmers of hope, and most notably a number of dance numbers which create such a contrast between the music and the violence. Sometimes these scenes halt the plot, but I think they work within the movie.

The movie is generally well acted but the highlight is Ninón Sevilla’s great lead performance. She’s spectacular and emotional, and of course her dancing is amazing in the music sequences.

It’s very well directed by Emilio Fernandez. It’s visually beautiful and striking; I liked the noir look with its black and white cinematography and the contrast between light and dark. The dancing sequences sprinkled throughout the movie are top notch and are amazing to watch.

Victims of Sin is an incredibly directed, gritty, melodramatic and bittersweet crime drama, with an excellent performance from Ninón Sevilla. Definitely worth watching if you haven’t seen it already.