This thought provoking movie was another surprise from talented Argentine director Eliseo Subiela, one of the most innovative men on the scene. Again, he has brought Dario Grandinetti, his best collaborator, and one would imagine, alter ego, to give life to a man who dares to question what if dreams can be recorded and then projected on a screen when the person is awake.
Leopoldo, who works as a projectionist in a run down cinema in Buenos Aires, knows the end is near before the theater is sold by Don Mario to a some kind of religious group. What is he to do? His wife, who works at home as a beautician, doesn't make much. He is involved with a friend, Oscar, in the development of a robot they have called "Carlitos" after their idol, Carlos Gardel, the famous Argentine tango singer.
It's at this time that an image begins to take shape in his mind. It's fuzzy at first, but then she appears to him in all her beauty. Rachel, the gorgeous ghost, can only be seen by Leopoldo. She reminds him that at one time he had been her beloved husband, William Dickson, a man that had worked closely with Thomas Edison in the invention of the movies. While William had taken human form, she has not been back, as she hasn't reincarnated, but she has come back because Leopoldo's dreams are always about her.
Leopoldo falls deeply in love with Rachel's ghost, something his loving wife Susana, resents, although she has no clue of what's going on in her husband's mind. He gets more distant in his quest for bringing Rachel to life. Oscar is the only one that understands what is going on in his friend's mind and supports him. The only way that Leopoldo can have Rachel is if she would reincarnate, but then, their age difference would be too much. By the end, Susana, who has not been able to conceive a child, unexpectedly gets pregnant. It is at this time we know a miracle has occurred and since Leopoldo can't have Rachel, she will appear in his life in another form.
Eliseo Subiela has created a film that makes us think, and at the same time, one can see where he is taking us. This is a joyful ride, because along the way we get Mr. Subiela to guide us in how he brings Leopoldo and Rachel back together, again. The director knows how humans are so deeply inter connected in ways one can't comprehend, yet one gets indication how the past keeps reuniting those souls that have mated for what appears to be eternity.
Dario Grandinetti brings to his Leopoldo a mixture of doubt, at first, and then he rekindles the desire for his beloved Rachel. This actor is a natural and it's always a pleasure to watch him get inside his characters. Most of the best things he has done in the movies have been guided by Mr. Subiela, as it appears both men have reached the point that one knows what the other want and vice versa.
The beautiful Mariana Arias, making her screen debut is perfect as Rachel who has been much more connected to Leopoldo than he thought possible. Ms. Arias projects intelligence in a role that with someone else might have not been as effective as she made it. Oscar Martinez is Leopoldo's partner, an inventor of great resources who never questions his friend about what his friend is going through. Monica Galan and Tincho Zabala play Susana and Don Mario.
A film highly recommended for admirers of Eusebio Subiela and Dario Grandinetti.
Leopoldo, who works as a projectionist in a run down cinema in Buenos Aires, knows the end is near before the theater is sold by Don Mario to a some kind of religious group. What is he to do? His wife, who works at home as a beautician, doesn't make much. He is involved with a friend, Oscar, in the development of a robot they have called "Carlitos" after their idol, Carlos Gardel, the famous Argentine tango singer.
It's at this time that an image begins to take shape in his mind. It's fuzzy at first, but then she appears to him in all her beauty. Rachel, the gorgeous ghost, can only be seen by Leopoldo. She reminds him that at one time he had been her beloved husband, William Dickson, a man that had worked closely with Thomas Edison in the invention of the movies. While William had taken human form, she has not been back, as she hasn't reincarnated, but she has come back because Leopoldo's dreams are always about her.
Leopoldo falls deeply in love with Rachel's ghost, something his loving wife Susana, resents, although she has no clue of what's going on in her husband's mind. He gets more distant in his quest for bringing Rachel to life. Oscar is the only one that understands what is going on in his friend's mind and supports him. The only way that Leopoldo can have Rachel is if she would reincarnate, but then, their age difference would be too much. By the end, Susana, who has not been able to conceive a child, unexpectedly gets pregnant. It is at this time we know a miracle has occurred and since Leopoldo can't have Rachel, she will appear in his life in another form.
Eliseo Subiela has created a film that makes us think, and at the same time, one can see where he is taking us. This is a joyful ride, because along the way we get Mr. Subiela to guide us in how he brings Leopoldo and Rachel back together, again. The director knows how humans are so deeply inter connected in ways one can't comprehend, yet one gets indication how the past keeps reuniting those souls that have mated for what appears to be eternity.
Dario Grandinetti brings to his Leopoldo a mixture of doubt, at first, and then he rekindles the desire for his beloved Rachel. This actor is a natural and it's always a pleasure to watch him get inside his characters. Most of the best things he has done in the movies have been guided by Mr. Subiela, as it appears both men have reached the point that one knows what the other want and vice versa.
The beautiful Mariana Arias, making her screen debut is perfect as Rachel who has been much more connected to Leopoldo than he thought possible. Ms. Arias projects intelligence in a role that with someone else might have not been as effective as she made it. Oscar Martinez is Leopoldo's partner, an inventor of great resources who never questions his friend about what his friend is going through. Monica Galan and Tincho Zabala play Susana and Don Mario.
A film highly recommended for admirers of Eusebio Subiela and Dario Grandinetti.