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Roldijo
Reviews
Argentina, 1985 (2022)
Santiago Mitre's best film, which is not saying much
I am a regular consumer of Argentine cinema, and this is the first time in many years that I have enjoyed a film by Santiago Mitre from beginning to end.
Accustomed to bland stories, devoid of any kind of wit and emotion, tied to a technical rigor that borders on the icy, Mitre's films usually drive me away immediately. This time, at least, I was able to appreciate Ricardo Darín's superb performance without wondering why they made such bad choices.
If you can make it through the first 15 minutes, which are reasonably boring, the rest of the story is quite captivating.
In dealing with such a conflictive and painful subject, I am glad that they have not fallen into the low blow and have been able to add a fair dose of humor to it.
Nada (2023)
De Niro in Buenos Aires, the combination you didn't know you needed.
Probably the best Argentine mini-series ever. And I am not exaggerating. Extremely touching while still being funny, with a very simple story behind it, but extremely sophisticated. I am not surprised that the same people responsible for El Encargado, another wonderful series from the same country, are behind it.
The cast is led by an exceptionally talented veteran Argentine actor, Luis Brandoni, accompanied by a Paraguayan newcomer who brings just the right balance to the story. Not to mention, of course, the special participation of none other than Robert De Niro, in one of the most tender roles of his career. It is already rare to see an actor of his stature doing television, but to do it with total dedication, in a distant country and with the certainty of giving the best of himself.
Be sure to watch it.
El Reino (2021)
Another Netflix blunder
The story promises to take us behind the scenes of a family that runs an evangelical empire in Argentina and the dark secrets they hide behind so much power and wealth. However, despite having a potentially intriguing plot, the series leaves much to be desired.
One of the biggest problems is its slow and monotonous pace. The dialogues are tedious and mostly absurd, which creates a lot of distance between one and the story. In addition, the characters are shallow and uninteresting, making it impossible for the viewer to empathize with them.
Another recurring and somewhat embarrassing problem is the exaggerated portrayal of the lives of powerful characters, especially those in the world of politics. The series focuses too much on spurious negotiations worthy of a cartoon, which ends up being tiring and unrealistic. The plot is also predictable, with twists you can see coming a mile away and unnecessary scenes that seem to be included just to create some interest, failing miserably.
In addition, the show presents a superficial view of Argentina, coming across as vulgar and simplistic. The characters are presented as stereotypes and the series fails to capture the complexity and richness of the local culture.
In conclusion, this is such a poorly made product that it fails to meet the minimum expectations. If you are looking for an original and intelligent series, you will probably be more than disappointed with "The Kingdom".
La extorsión (2023)
Finally
Finally an Argentine feature reconciles me again with the national film industry. Since «Wild Tales» I haven't connected with a story on a sensorial level, I haven't felt the real pleasure of watching something at the cinema, and not at home distracted by my cell phone.
Guillermo Francella's work is really of another level, but what I highlight the most is that a genre film surprises me again with the classic tools to do it. From the very beginning, it gradually leads you to the idea that you are not in front of just another generic example, made without ideas or passion, but it becomes a true exponent of how this kind of movies should be nowadays.
Hopefully it will open the door for many to imitate its rhythm, wit and simplicity.