Hmm, I typed a response to this thread, but ezboard threw me out. I'll try to recapitulate it.

I recently read a short interview with Reygadas, where he was talking in rather modest terms about the beauty and despair of the people, and didn't want to see his film understood too much as a political allegory. i was a bit surprised. 
I'd love to read the DVD interview though, if it isn't too much work Trev. 

After seeing the film for the first time, I wanted to rewatch it immediately, but since that, my enthusiasm has cooled down considerably. This doesn't concern the film's quality, but the fact that I find it hard to stomach. But I've been bumping into it dozens of time since then, and a local theater here in Nurnberg will start screening it next week (it has gotten quite heavy distribution here in germany, maybe because of all the controversy surrounding it). I have met some cinephiles who intend to watch it at the big screen, and maybe I'll accompany them, so we will both have two viewings arsaib. 
(thanks for the kind words, btw.)

It seems like I've gotten more sensitive when it comes to films lately. I had to break off a rewatch of pasolini's "Salo" this year when i was only halfway through the film. I admire it, but it was just too much.