‘A Monster with a Thousand Heads’ Review

“A Monster with a Thousand Heads” (2016 — Mexico) is a taut and efficient mix of thriller, drama and socio-political commentary from Mexican-based Uruguayan filmmaker Rodrigo Plá. When Sonia (Jana Raluy) receives the news that her husband’s cancer has progressed to a terminal stage, she attempts to get insurance company approval for the care that can help him but is rebuffed at very turn by indifference and negligence. Taking matters into her own hands, she works her way from hospital employees and doctors up to senior officials and insurance company executives, getting increasingly desperate — and violent — the higher up she goes in the health care hierarchy. Although this cautionary tale about corruption and inefficiency doesn’t punch as much a wallop as it could — see, for example, the 2014 Argentine-Spanish black comedy revenge anthology “Wild Tales” for the impact of vengeance — the fine acting and superb cinematography still holds your interest and makes the film small pleasure. From Music Box Films.