Ana Risueño in “Impulsos” [2002 Spain]

Posted on April 15, 2012 by TR

Miguel Alcantud wrote and made a promising directorial debut through the thriller, “Impulsos” [Eng. Title: Impulses]. I’m surprised he hasn’t made many more since then – this is one intelligent film made with innovative production ideas and techniques. Just because it doesn’t offer anything conclusive or show anything sensational wouldn’t make it any less a thriller. The film should be approached like a short story or an essay even – these are events happening at a given time and space. It is non-judgemental. And it doesn’t explain why the characters behave the way they do – that is left for the audience to do as they see fit. Not everything in life is cut-and-dried, and the same goes here too.

Storyline:
Sara is in mourning, and she is also obsessed with unfinished work after a pact with her former partner. But she couldn’t get to do it, and one day notices Jaime at a Madrid tube station – pushing a waiting passenger to his death in front of an approaching train. Killing random people impulsively is a bit of a hobby for Jaime – it could be a man, woman, or even animal – it is this randomness that has also helped him keep away from police radar. Sara blackmails Jaime into doing her a favour in return for not reporting to the police, after claiming to have visual evidence of the incident in her handheld camera. But through their various interactions henceforth, we see a strange dynamic developing between them.

The film reminds me of Pedro Almodóvar’s “Matador”, where too the two main characters are obsessed with death, but while they both take pleasure in killing, here it is only Jaime who likes to do the killing. Where as the couple’s dynamic is kinky and sexual in “Matador”, there is a deeper level of understanding and ‘trust’, for want of a better word, developing between Sara and Jaime. Partly why I love this film is that this dynamic isn’t artificially fed to us – it is organic and can only be seen upon reflection – Alcantud has made this film for an intelligent audience. The restrained performance by actors playing the main characters, Ana Risueño as Sara and Daniel Freire (Lucía y el Sexo) as Jaime work well for the film. As does the fine cinematography and clever editing that has a style of its own. Worthy of mention too is the rather cool jazz soundtrack (I think the band is JJJJJ Productions, but those in the know can correct me if I’m mistaken) – they are also shown performing in some scenes. My advice is, don’t listen to the IMDB ratings – this is definitely Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon.es DVD Link


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Johanna ter Steege & co in “Tirza” [2010 Netherlands]

Posted on April 13, 2012 by TR

Any meaningful synopsis of Rudolf van den Berg’s engaging thriller “Tirza” is likely to be spoiler-ridden. So I’ll try to keep it brief. The subject of the film is disconcerting in that it treads across a minefield of themes such as child prostitution and incest. But it is cleverly constructed to bring out a whole range of emotional responses from the audience, who are coerced into rooting for the flawed protagonist Jörgen right from the beginning, as a doting father, a wronged husband and lonely soul, and later as a hopelessly confused man. He goes to Namibia searching for his favourite daughter Tirza. Once there, a child prostitute Kaisa befriends and persuades Jörgen to take her with him in his quest. This is what the film is all about – a quest, a soul-search, an exploration of love, and loss. Kaisa is beautifully portrayed by adorable little Keitumetse Matlabo, and she complements the intensity of Gijs Scholten van Aschat who plays Jörgen with her soothing presence. Her oft-spoken line in impeccable grammar school English, “Would you like some company, Sir” even now wrings quite disturbingly.

It is however a very well made film in all respects. The direction and editing see to it that we get to experience Jörgen’s disorientation in full measure. The cinematography is masterful and yet quite subtle. The sound track is haunting. All in all, this is a surprisingly powerful film that one might not forget in a hurry, even if desired – you heard it, this is not for everyone’s taste. But if you like to be challenged, and forced to look at things you’d much rather not, this is Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon Blu-ray Link
(not the one I have, but one with the best deal going for the moment)


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Evangelina Sosa, Leticia Huijara, others in “La Ley de Herodes” [1999 Mexico]

Posted on April 10, 2012 by TR

Luis Estrada broke new ground when he made the brilliant Mexican classic, “La Ley de Herodes” [Eng. title: Herod’s Law]. It is also one of my favourite Mexican mainstream films of all time. While most Latin Americans (and certainly from many developing countries) will find this a wry depiction of their own reality, as a self-centred foreigner, I unashamedly rejoice in the film’s simplicity, craftsmanship, and hilarious sense of humour – it is pure old-fashioned cinema, and political satire at its very best.

Every aspect of this film production has been well thought and executed. Starting from the art direction and set design – I doubt if it could ever be bettered, or even needs to be. We are transported to that god-forsaken mid-twentieth century pueblo so convincingly that you could almost smell the air the characters breathe. The cinematography adds a period feel with its use of duotones, and while they tend to be generally overused elsewhere, it works exceedingly well here. I hate repeating myself, but the direction (and editing), for want of a better word is simply brilliant in the way Estrada has timed every take to its perfection, every scene flows naturally, and you don’t miss a thing that he’s trying to tell us. The humour is not just in the gags (as funny as they are), but also in the way the scenes are shot – you’ll know what I mean when you watch it for yourself. On top of this, the actors are in their element – one couldn’t think of a choice better than Damián Alcázar for the main role, and even the minor characters are played exceptionally well, notably Isela Vega and the reliable Pedro Armendáriz Jr. This film should be seen by the widest audience possible, particularly in countries where the system works largely for the privileged and lucky few. Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon DVD Link


Storyline:
Juan Vargas, a practical nobody save his long standing membership with the ruling party, is thrust the Mayorship of an obscure and troubled village – the previous Mayor was lynched by its village folk, and expendable that he is, supposed to be a temporary replacement until the forthcoming elections. But Vargas tries to take the job seriously, and that is when he realises that the only way he could get things done is by bending the rules. When he asks the governor for more funds, he is thrown a copy of the constitution and a pistol. With this, he is asked to maintain law and order and generate funds for his beleaguered municipality. And boy does he succeed…


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Victoria Abril & Maribel Verdú in “Amantes” [1991 Spain]

Posted on April 8, 2012 by TR

Having been fortunate to have gone through most of Vicente Aranda’s filmography, I can safely opine that this veteran director loves women and has great respect for their role in Spanish society. The ubiquitously named 1991 drama “Amantes” [Eng. Title: Lovers] is a typical example. I think it is one of his more deeper films which will be totally lost on anyone watching it casually. As I did when it was aired on TV many years ago. It is a film for mature adults, which I wasn’t. But some of the images are strong and unforgettable whether you understand the film or not.

Storyline:
Based on a true story, the film depicts a torrid love triangle that ended in murder during mid-fifties Spain. Paco is discharged from Army and moves in as a tenant of widow Luisa. He is lazy, ignorant, weak, and opportunistic – in sharp contrast to his apparent good looks which women are drawn to. He is engaged to pure-at-heart, virginal, and sincere Trini, who works hard as a housemaid to earn a living and save for a rainy day. His frustrations with her refusal for physical intimacy before marriage draws him to the older, experienced and still attractive Luisa, who’s been around the block a few times. Trini, aware of his relationship with his landlady, tries to win him back. But Luisa’s sexual prowess and seductive appeal completely clouds Paco’s sense of vision and reason, and his inability to distinguish the good things going for him is graphically illustrated for all to see.

Paco, Luisa, and Trini – extreme caricatures in themselves, are drawn with the purpose of showing the contrasting ways in which characters can pursue a common interest – which is essentially about trying to live happily ever after. The characterisation is equivalent to having a strong cup of coffee in order to stay awake – to understand if not appreciate why people behave the way they do. What makes this film special is the convincing portrayal of the characters by the main actors. Both, Victoria Abril who plays Luisa, and Maribel Verdú who plays Trini give exceptional award-winning performances, and this is also the only film to date that won Vicente Aranda a Goya. It obviously isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for the open-minded, definitely refreshing, and Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon.es DVD Link


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Posted in Maribel Verdú, Spain, Vicente Aranda, Victoria Abril | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Elsa Pataky and others in “Máncora” BR720 [2008 Peru, Spain]

Posted on April 6, 2012 by TR

This is a rare re-review in this blog. Having recently re-watched Ricardo de Montreuil’s Peruvian drama, “Máncora”, I realise my earlier assessment was perhaps a bit harsh. And it is only fair that I give it a more balanced review again. Oh well – who said rabbits always get it right the first time! 🙂

Given the risqué nature of the film’s storyline, far from messing things up, I think the director had done a commendable job in treading delicately on the subject – the film would have been an altogether different product in the wrong hands. While the story pushes the boundaries of conventional morality, not least that of deeply conservative Peruvian society, it doesn’t delve on their portrayal for more than is needed. I can see that the screenplay and direction have also been inspired by the style and tone used in the Mexican classic “Y tu mamá también” – it is treated like a road movie for a period of time, and similarly show characters intellectually ‘growing-up’ as the film progresses. This is nevertheless a much lighter film, which may well been the reason why I was initially put-off. It is a film intended for an informed albeit younger mainstream audience, and it achieves its purpose of injecting positivity into cynical youth without sounding preachy. The film is also aided by its tourist-brochure-like sparkling cinematography – the locations in and around Mancora where it was mostly shot are actually quite stunning, as is the vibrant soundtrack. I’m pleased to say – this is Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon Blu-ray Link
(Value for money as it also includes a delightful Puerto Rican comedy “Maldeamores”)


Storyline:
Twenty one year old Santiago is shattered after his father commits suicide. His half sister Ximena from New York makes a surprise visit with hubby Iñigo to console him. After they learn he’s heading for Máncora, a quaint fishing village north of the country where Santi and Ximena spent childhood holidays, they too decide to tag along. Ximena, whose marriage to Iñigo is getting rocky, spends more time with half-brother Santiago, and they venture into uncharted territory – technically at least, they’re committing incest. And it doesn’t take long for Iñego to find out either. All three party, get stoned and get laid in chaotic fashion – Iñego tries to get even with Ximena by not only having a fling with a bar-girl, but also asking Ximena to join them for a threesome. Santiago fools around with some local girls but harbours feelings for Ximena that are not essentially brotherly. Things seemingly heading in a downward spiral are rescued by a combination of events, even if the way the film ends sounds tad fanciful.


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Posted in Elsa Pataky, Peru | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment