Tribeca Film Review: ‘The Gasoline Thieves (Original Title Huachicolero)’ Is A Gripping Coming of Age Story

Review by L.C. Cragg

This film depicts a classic coming of age story, with romance, family drama, jealousy, classism, economic struggle set in a violent rural countryside, with a backdrop of government price gouging driven by a “shortage” of gasoline. In the vain of classic intensely gripping drama, (No Country for Old Men, Hell or High Water, There Will Be Blood) we follow the journey of fourteen-year-old Lalo (brilliantly played by Eduardo Banda) who navigates the realities of becoming a “huachicolero” as well as a man.

“Huachicoleros” steal gas and then resell it on the black market, taking advantage of the countrywide gas shortage. Lalo who wants to buy an expensive gift to woo his high school crush, Ana (Regina Reynoso), naively believes that money can bring him happiness and stability. When his mother takes money that he owes to someone else, to pay for a sick family members medical bills, Lalo is draw deeper into the reality of this violent crime operation.

While often violent, the film appropriately portrays the thieves, the law enforcement, and middlemen, who all must be paid, either in money, or blood, or revenge.

The visuals and music appropriately enhance the film’s successful escalating suspense. Director/Screenwriter, Edgar Nito delivers a touching and gripping story, which should launch his career on a wonderful journey. The film fans the flame of why people love Indy films: great engrossing storytelling with deep complex characters striving for a better life.