POPI is a strange film to evaluate. It is both a satire of Cold War politics regarding Cuban refugees in the US and the struggle of Latin American communities, and a Chaplinesque comedy about a father doing his best to give his sons a better life, even if he won't be in the picture. The atmosphere is one of urban squalor, with the first half set in late 60s NYC. Though ostensibly a family comedy, the film does not shy away from depiction of child abuse (though they would have deemed it "discipline" back then), poverty, violence (a pigeon is decapitated onscreen), and alcoholism. Amidst this grim setting is plenty of slapstick comedy and shenanigans.
I'm not sure it all works. Tonally, the film swngs back and forth between pathos and absurdity, especially when we find out just what the protagonist's crazy (and dangerous) plan is. That this plan is so insane does strain one's sympathy, but Alan Arkin's performance keeps the audience from disliking the main character. He's a rough guy, even a borderline insane guy, but you never doubt his devoted love for his sons. There are moments where Arkin really breaks your heart and the two boys playing his kids are great as well. They feel like real kids and not cutesy cartoons.
I was also struck by the ending. It's a happy ending on the surface, until you see that resigned look on Arkin's face in the last shot. The father's dilemma has not been solved and it is clear he is not satisfied with returning to the status quo, but whether or not he'll find another way to make a better life for his family is not clear.
I'm not sure it all works. Tonally, the film swngs back and forth between pathos and absurdity, especially when we find out just what the protagonist's crazy (and dangerous) plan is. That this plan is so insane does strain one's sympathy, but Alan Arkin's performance keeps the audience from disliking the main character. He's a rough guy, even a borderline insane guy, but you never doubt his devoted love for his sons. There are moments where Arkin really breaks your heart and the two boys playing his kids are great as well. They feel like real kids and not cutesy cartoons.
I was also struck by the ending. It's a happy ending on the surface, until you see that resigned look on Arkin's face in the last shot. The father's dilemma has not been solved and it is clear he is not satisfied with returning to the status quo, but whether or not he'll find another way to make a better life for his family is not clear.